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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulates the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC) with the settlement reached in the public sector wage negotiations. FEDUSA believes that the ILC played a facilitating role in the settlement and that leadership and statesmanship prevailed.

“We extend our sincere congratulations to the ILC for the role they played in facilitating the deal reached in the public sector,” said FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George. “It shows that our unions and their members are in touch with the realities facing our country, and that we can trust them to deliver the services expected by our citizens.”

Agreement was reached on a three-year settlement for the period 2012 to 2015, in which the 2012 salary increase effective on 1 May 2012 is 7%. For the remainder of the period the increase will be Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1% and the three-year agreement allows for the employer and labour to implement all elements of the agreement in line with the Government planning cycles.

This settlement comes after six hard months of negotiations, in which parties spared no resource to engage in debate over the wages of public servants.

“We are relieved that settlement has been reached and we believe that this settlement represents a win-win outcome for our members and the State,” said FEDUSA Vice-President Chris Klopper. Klopper, who is also the chairperson of the ILC, was overly pleased with the outcome.

FEDUSA unions collectively decided to become part of the ILC, which is a caucus body of trade unions at the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). FEDUSA unions involved in the ILC are the Health and Other Service Personnel Association of South Africa (HOSPERSA), the National Teachers Union (NATU), the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU), the South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (SAPTU) and the United Public Service Association of South Africa and Allied Workers Union (UNIPSAWU).

“We congratulate our unions in the ILC”, said George. “They showed us how working together can influence the outcome of any process. We trust and believe that the principle of collective thinking and shared strategy will continue to serve the best interests of our members.”