Administration
31 May 2007
1. Yesterday in Parliament I announced that a breakthrough had been achieved
in the wage negotiations in the public service. Although some trade unions have
denied this, the facts are as follows:
* Following the failure of the conciliation process of 3 May 2007, parties
to the wage dispute embarked on actions to exercise their rights in terms of
the Labour Relations Act (LRA). The trade unions served notice of strike action
to commence on 25 May and 1 June 2007, whilst the employer applied for
arbitration in essential services.
* No formal engagement took place between parties during this period.
* On 24 May 2007 the employer requested a meeting of the Public Service
Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) in an attempt to find a solution to
the impasse.
* The trade unions to the PSCBC unanimously agreed to participate in this
process which showed their commitment to finding a solution to the
dispute.
* Parties convened in the PSCBC on 28 May 2007 and agreed to set up a technical
committee to jointly develop a document that could form the basis of further
negotiations.
* The technical committee produced the document on 29 May 2007. The document
shows major advances on a broad range of issues. There is still disagreement on
the quantum of the salary increase, pay progression and medical assistance. The
document has, however, assisted parties to narrow down the areas of
disagreement and to channel their energies into finding solutions for these
areas.
* On 30 May 2007 the parties formally adopted the document as a document of the
PSCBC.
2. Moving from an adversarial situation where engagement between parties had
broken down to a situation where parties have managed to jointly produced a
document for further discussion, constitutes a major breakthrough in my
opinion.
3. I need to reiterate that this round of salary negotiations is not simply
about percentages although it has been played out in the media as a war of
percentages. The discussions in the technical team looked at a range of
options. Because the employer's offer is a package deal covering a number of
benefits and areas other than a mere salary improvement, there is room to
manoeuvre within the funding available for the package.
4. One thing must be clear, we are not prepared, in seeking a solution to
the impasse, to sacrifice the long term wellbeing, the health, the retirement
security, the future career development and real increases in earnings of
employees for short-term gains that are not in the interests of workers, the
employer or the country.
5. I have said this before, but I need to repeat it. The improvement of the
dispensations of identified categories of staff in the public service is one of
the core elements of the employer's wage offer. More than the general salary
increase, these improved dispensations will ensure real increases for
employees. Certain categories of nurses with ten years or more experience will
for example receive increases of up to 50% after July 2007. Other categories
that have been identified for improvement over the next four years, include
health professionals, teachers, legal professionals, social workers, engineers,
architects, correctional officials, environmentalists and other identified
professionals. These improvements will also benefit the employer in that it
should enhance the employer's ability to attract and retain professionals and
workers in scares skills categories.
6. As I have stated earlier, the employer has already lodged a formal
request with the PSCBC to have the wage dispute in respect of essential
services subjected to a process of arbitration. In view of this and in view of
the progress made on the impasse over the last few days, it is hard to
understand why some trade unions are continuing with strike action tomorrow. I
wish to appeal to these unions and their members to desist from embarking on
this action and to give the renewed negotiation process an opportunity to
produce a settlement of the dispute.
7. Should the strike action, however, continue tomorrow, I wish to assure
the public that all departments have contingency plans in place to deal with
the strike and to ensure continued services to the public. Employees in
essential services are once again reminded that participation in the strike
action will not be protected under the LRA and that the employer will take
disciplinary action against such employees. The adherence to the provisions of
the LRA displayed by essential service workers during the strike action on 25
May 2007 did not go unnoticed and Government accepts that these employees will
again act with such previously demonstrated responsibility.
8. As much as we respect the constitutional right to strike, we appeal to
trade unions and workers to also respect the right of employees to elect to
work. Any form of intimidation to prevent employees from working will be
opposed by the employer.
9. Government is committed to building a public service that rewards skills,
competencies, experience and performance and we wish to invite labour to join
us in achieving these objectives.
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
31 May 2007
