The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has noted with serious concern the response by Government, to the Public Service unions’ wage demands formally tabled at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).  

Public servants were treated unjustly and given a raw deal due to the government's decision not to implement the last leg of the multi-term wage agreement (Resolution 1 of 2018). To make matters worse for public service employees, the government has only implemented a non-pensionable cash gratuity for the staff. In many cases, public servants are overworked as the government failed to fill thousands of critical vacancies in the public service that directly affects service delivery to citizens, in particular, the poor and vulnerable. The vision of a capable state is simply a distant cry from the ambitions of the National Development Plan (NDP). 

The government has responded to the wage demands of the public service unions by only offering a cash gratuity. This in essence means no real increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

FEDUSA and its affiliates are mindful of the impact that any conflict will have on the country and therefore call on Government to review their current wage freeze and table a better offer for our members. 

FEDUSA’s door remains open for engagement, but we caution that our members are becoming impatient due to the consistent bad-faith bargaining by the employer.

FEDUSA public service unions are seriously considering not accepting the counter offer by the employer but will be consulting with their members on the employers response to labours demands.

 

Issued by FEDUSA