In 2022, parties in PHSDSBC signed a collective agreement, Resolution 1 of 2022 on the Provision of Nurses’ Uniform. The agreement stated that the employer will provide uniform to the nurses with effect from 1 October 2023. By so doing, the employer will no longer pay the uniform allowance to the nurses form the year of 2023 and onwards.
In May 2023, DENOSA held NEC meeting, and Nurses’ Uniform was part of the agenda. DENOSA negotiators reported in the NEC meeting that there was no progress in the task team that is dealing with the uniform. The lack of progress was caused by the employer for not giving direction on the matter.
Given the report, NEC started to doubt if the employer will deliver on its commitment. NEC mandated the negotiators to give a last push so that the employer can assure labour that the uniform will be supplied by 1 October 2023.
The PHSDSBC meeting took place in June 2023. The employer reported that it will not be able to meet the deadline of 1 October. The employer proposed the shifting of the implementation date to January 2024.
Subsequent to the response and proposal of the employer, DENOSA issued a media statement (19 July 2023) strongly raising dismay on the failure of the employer to implement the agreement.
DENOSA clearly put it that the shifting of the implementation date was totally rejected with the contempt it deserved.
DENOSA clearly communicated that if the employer is unable to supply the uniform by 1 October 2023, the employer must pay the allowance to the nurses – as the previous years.
DENOSA further stated that if the employer is unable to supply the uniform nor paying the allowance, nurses will embark on indefinite protest action of not wearing uniform on duty until one of the two happens.
After issuing the statement, the employer contacted DENOSA raising unhappiness about the position we took. However, we responded that we stood by our decision and come 1 October, we will deliver.
It is against this background to inform the members of DENOSA that today, there was a special PHSDSBC meeting where the employer was proposing to put on hold the supply of uniform until 2024.
In the meantime, the employer is proposing to pay the 2023 allowance to the nurses as follows:
1. Amount – R3153.11 (once off payment)
2. Date – 30 November 2023
DENOSA is agreeing with the proposal as it in line with the NEC resolution. PHSDSBC is preparing the agreement for parties to sign which we expect that it will take place before the end of the week.
We will keep our members updated on the matter.
Issued by
DENOSA
National
20 September 2023
