The Public Servants Association, which represents almost 235,000 public servants, said that it will be embarking on a national strike on November 10.
THE PUBLIC Servants Association (PSA), which represents almost 235,000 public servants, said that it will be embarking on a national strike on November 10.
The PSA said the strike would have a serious impact on the activities of departments, especially Home Affairs, Transport and Border Control.
It added that it had the support of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).
“This will be the first major public service strike since 2010. The PSA issued the union’s strike notice on October 24 after a deadlock was reached in salary negotiations following the government’s offer of a 3% increase and discontinuation of the cash gratuity after March 31, 2023. The PSA has demanded a revised offer of a 6.5% increase and the continuation of the cash gratuity beyond March 31, 2023.”
The PSA added that public servants, like other employees and tax payers, were feeling the severe effects of major price increases for fuel, transport and food as well as interest rate hikes.
“The cash gratuity, which is not pensionable and thus not an ultimate solution, assisted public servants, and if retained beyond March 2023, will further assist public servants who have not received a salary increase for the past three years.”
The PSA said the union was disappointed with the wage offer by the government.
“Government’s decision to unilaterally implement the meagre increase with public servants’ salaries in November 2022 has angered the PSA and the union will intensify its efforts to protect public servants’ rights and interests as underlined by nationwide marches on November 10.”
The PSA added that its national strike action would be supported by its sister unions affiliated to Fedusa.
“The unilateral decision by the government will have a serious impact on how negotiations will be conducted in the public sector in future. This irresponsible action has further damaged the already fragile relations and severe trust deficit between government and unions.”
