Unions give state 7 days to respond to wage demands
‘Failure to reply will result in total shutdown’
Unions representing thousands of public workers have threatened to intensify their strike to reject the government’s proposed 3% wage increases.
Workers from Cosatu, South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and the Federation of Trade Unions of SA (Fedusa) marched to the offices of the Treasury in Pretoria yesterday to demand 10% increase, permanent employment of police reservists, teachers and community health workers and the filling of vacant posts.
Cosatu deputy president Mike Shingange said they had given the government seven days to respond to their demands.
He said that they were considering going to the bargaining council to conclude the matter by December 2.
“If there is no response in seven days, this will result in a total shutdown, no hospitals will work, no police stations will operate including post offices and home affairs nationally,” he said, adding that the ball was in government’s court.
Nonzwakazi Tsoanyane from the Johannesburg SAPS, who was among the protesters, said the main reason she supported the protest was because of high living costs.
“The employer gave us only 3%, which is an insult. We demand a R1,500 danger allowance because we are working in dangerous areas day and night, R3,500 housing allowance and R2,500 for uniform allowances because the uniform is too expensive,” she said.
Tsoanyane further said during hard lockdown police had risked their lives while most employees worked from home.
Tshepo Rasekhlolo, a cleaner at the department of health stationed at Krugersdorp’s Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital, told Sowetan that they were tired of the government disrespecting their unions.
“As a public worker, I’m very angry because I work hard and I make sure I do my job properly. The government is taking us for granted, they’ve been ignoring our unions and now we’ve had enough,” he said.
Roxy Seshoka, a human resource officer from the national department of justice and constitutional development, said they were giving the government a final opportunity to adjust their salary.
“The employer gave us 3%, which we didn’t sign, they just implemented it without our consent.
“There is no agreement and our worry is that they keep denying us the salary adjustment we want,” he said.
He said they had not received salary increases since 2020,
Acting public service and administration minister Thulas Nxesi received the unions’ memorandum but was not given a chance to respond.