Trade union federation Cosatu has threatened to embark on a full-blown strike in demand of a 10 percent salary increase for civil servants.
COSATU has threatened to embark on a full-blown strike in demand of a 10 percent salary increase for civil servants.
Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi said on Tuesday that government should immediately withdraw a circular that had informed employees that their proposed three percent increase had been implemented.
“This is while negotiations are still ongoing. Our members are angry and are ready to embark on strike action. Today was the last day for the employer to revise their offer after the matter was referred to the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council. How can you start and end with a three percent increase? We are open to negotiations but will not accept anything less than the inflation rate. The employer still owes us backdated increases,” said Moraladi.
He added that all unions, with the exception of the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), had rejected the three percent increase.
“We are hopeful that the matter will be resolved, failing which we will intensify mass action and will obtain a strike certificate as a matter of urgency.”
Nehawu provincial secretary Moleme Moleme said that they were demanding a 10 percent increase.
“What are workers on level three and under supposed to do with a three percent increase … as it will make no difference on their meagre salaries? Lunchtime pickets were held throughout the Province on Monday and Tuesday,” said Moleme.
