Civil servants go on strike over wage increase
About 235,000 public servants could down tools
A public service national strike could see parts of SA come to a standstill today.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) and the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa), which represent about 235,000 public servants, will strike from today.
The PSA said the strike would have a serious effect on government departments, particularly home affairs, transport and border control.
Plans for the strike come after employment and labour minister Thulas Nxesi implemented a 3% wage increase for the state’s 1.3-million workers and announced the discontinuation of a cash gratuity after March 31 2023.
The PSA is demanding a 6.5% increase and continuation of the gratuity beyond March 31. Unions initially demanded a 10% increase when negotiations started in May.
“Public servants, like other employees and taxpayers, are feeling the severe effects of major price increases for fuel,
transport and food, as well as interest rate hikes,” said the association.
“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.”
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana reportedly said government had “no room” to meet the demands.
“We have done all we could. We have got no room to move
at the moment, even in the medium-term budget policy statement the carry-through costs we have are only for the 3%,” the minister said.
The PSA said government’s decision to unilaterally implement the “meagre” increase in November 2022 angered the association. “The unilateral decision by government will have a serious effect 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. The PSA’s national strike will be supported by its sister unions affiliated to Fedusa,” it said.
PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka told Newzroom Afrika SA would come to a standstill.
“We have visitors, people that are outside the country that want to use airports to come or leave the country. Those are crucial services that would not be available if you go to the ports of entry. This includes airports.
“If you arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday you will not find anybody to process services.
“If you go to the department of justice, if there is a court roll that needs to be done, you will not find anybody. Those are some of the key departments.
“Teachers are also members,” Maleka said. “As much as we don’t want to disrupt exams, this is not to be blamed on trade unions. This is to be blamed on the government...”–