EXCLUSIVE: Public sector wages: 10% salary increases could be tabled Ordinarily, trade unions from the different federations, including independents, consolidate their demands ahead of negotiations, however, this will not be the case this year. FILE: Recognised unions are struggling to agree on a common set of demands, a practice that has existed for many years to ensure smooth proceedings, with some unionists worried that this will lead to a drawn-out process. Picture: Abigail Javier/EWN
80 days ago
JOHANNESBURG - The new round of public service negotiations has not gotten off the ground as yet but trade unions in the sector are already at loggerheads over demands, an impasse that will see them starting the talks on the back foot.
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.”
Maya Angelou, Still I Rise
This week many non-governmental and civil society organisations are opening their doors again to resume campaigns for human rights and social justice. But with hunger not going on holiday many activists took little time off. Some found it hard to stop ‘work’ in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. From early December the second wave of Covid-19 broke cruelly over many communities, robbing health care workers in particular of the chance of rest – so death and disease didn’t obey the calendar either.
Nhlanhla Nkosi
The Public Servants Assoiation has instructed its legal team to take the wage dispute to the Constitutional Court.
Last month the Labour Appeal Court dismissed their application to force government to pay wage increases for 2020.
Unions said that the ruling would have implications for future collective bargaining agreements.
After having lost its bid to have the Labour Appeal Court force government to pay wage increases for 2020, the Public Servants Association (PSA) will now take the battle to the Constitutional Court.
Last year government reneged on the final year of a three-year wage agreement, which led to the legal challenge by the PSA and other unions.
By Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 7 (Reuters) - South Africa’s Public Servants Association trade union said on Thursday that it would approach the constitutional court over a ruling in favour of the government in a dispute over public sector wages.
The Labour Appeal Court ruled last month that it would be unlawful for trade unions to enforce wage increases that were due to come into force in April 2020 because it would contravene parts of the constitution and public service regulations.
Reporting by Alexander Winning Editing by Nqobile Dludla
By Reuters Staff
2 Min Read
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa’s Public Servants Association said on Thursday it would go to the constitutional court to challenge last month’s ruling in favour of the government over public sector wage increases.
The inflation-linked increases were agreed as part of a three-year wage deal struck in 2018 and were due to come into force in April 2020.
But the government did not pay them, saying they were unaffordable amid the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Labour Appeal Court said last month it would be unlawful for trade unions to enforce the wage increases because it would contravene parts of the constitution and public service regulations.