Issued by: Ministry for the Public Service and Administration
Government today informed public service unions that the offer placed before the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) on the 3 August 1999 represented its final offer. In order to avoid unnecessary hardship to public servants, government will be making arrangements for the implementation of the salary increases as from the 1 July 1999.
The final offer will mean that R3,28 billion will be allocated for public service salary increases. This translates into:
Government once again re-affirms its commitment to sound labour relations, the collective bargaining process and the right of unions to collective bargaining.
Government values and respects the contribution made by public servants and would appeal to them to continue the service they provide to millions of South Africans.
During the last few weeks government has made every attempt to reach agreement with the unions on the wage increases. The unions demand for an average 7,3% increase will mean that government will have to allocate an additional R700 million to salaries. This will have a detrimental impact on the quality of services provided.
The current situation reflects that there is no possibility of concluding an agreement of Council on this matter. Government has therefore decided to implement the final offer.
We hope that unions will continue to co-operate and constructively engage on all other matters before Council.
12 August 1999