Public service unions vow to return to the picket lines in February
The South African government is facing renewed threats of a full-blown strike after almost 10 public service unions vowed to return to the picket lines in February.
Unions affiliated with the federations Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) still want a 10% increase in their 2022 wages despite the government’s decision to unilaterally implement a 3% increase during the 2022 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
The Department of Public Service and Administration snubbed further negotiations, angering workers.
Speaking at a media briefing in Centurion on Thursday afternoon, the president of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa), Simon Hlungwani, issued a stern warning to the government.
“Our standpoint is to demonstrate the seriousness with which we take the government’s concerted effort to underplay the role and significance of collective bargaining and the signed agreements that bind parties.”
Hlungwani added the unions will issue the Department of Public Service and Administration with a notice for strike action next week.
“Firstly, our negotiators are not going to participate in any activity of the PSCBC up until the 2022/2023 dispute is resolved. We have already started engaging our members to revive the mandate, mobilise and ballot them for the strike action.”
DENOSA, NEHAWU, POPCRU and SAPU are in unison over going on indefinite strike over the wage dispute.
DENOSA President, Mr. Simon Hlungwani says that the government does not have the interests of public servants at heart.#TheLegalSA pic.twitter.com/qPF8JAFzEk
— The Legal SA (@TheLegalSA) February 16, 2023
-EWN
In other news – DJ Zinhle’s husband, Morda won’t attend AKA’s funeral – Here’s why
DJ Zinhle‘s husband, DJ and music producer Bongani Mohosana, will not be attending the memorial and funeral service of the late AKA, who shares a child with Zinhle. The information was revealed in a press statement by AKA’s family today, 14 February.
“We’d also like to acknowledge our extended family, the Mohosanas, for their unwavering support during this time, as Bongani Mohosana will be in absentia at the memorial and funeral due to observing cultural protocol,” said the statement. Learn More
