MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION MEETS WITH PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi today met with the public sector unions. The discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere and general agreement was reached on the direction and priorities set for the next five months.

The Minister outlined the areas where government has demonstrated its commitment to good labour relations and consultation on critical issues in the past by:

• Allowing unions to second negotiators on a full-time basis to the Public Service Central Bargaining Chamber (PSCBC);
  
• Signing a framework agreement for full-time shop stewards;
  
• Agreeing on an agency fee which allows unions to raise large amounts of money; and
  
• Establishing a levy of R1 a month per employee to pay for the dispute settlement system of the PSCBC, which will provide more expert and effective dispute resolution for the public service.

The Minister outlined the seven priority areas to accelerate the transformation of the public service. These are:

• A comprehensive review of the current conditions of service in the public service which will include a new wage policy , a review of current benefits and allowances, restructuring of the pension fund and a review of current bargaining processes;
  
• Improvement of the quality of information on the public service;
  
• Acceleration of the new public service management framework, the skills audit and Batho Pele, including strategies for managing the personnel costs downwards and containing personnel expenditure;
  
• Development of policy and guidelines for alternative service delivery mechanisms;
  
• Fast tracking capacity building for public servants;
  
• Improvement of the use and quality of information technology in the public services; and
  
• Development of the Department of Public Service and Administration's capacity to investigate and advise on the efficiency of the public service.

The Unions expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to meet with the Minister and pledged themselves to work with the Minister in the transformation of the public service.

It was agreed that the current wage dispute would be discussed within the PSCBC and not in the meeting as wage disputes form part of normal labour relations and as such should be dealt with in the Bargaining Chamber. The PSCBC will be meeting tomorrow, 21 July 1999.

The Minister and the unions greed on the priorities as outlined above. Further discussion on taking the priorities forward would take place in the PSCBC to ensure speedy implementation.

The Minister and the Unions committed themselves to work together in accelerating the transformation of the public service and the improvement of service delivery.

For further information contact: Ms Cindy August Tel: (012) 314 7430, 082 373 1007

Issued by the Office of the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi

20 July 1999