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An update on public sector wage negotiations processes
An update on public sector wage negotiations processes
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By Khaya Sodidi, DENOSA Chief Negotiator
Revolutionary Greetings Comrades,
As you may know that the state (employer) declared a dispute on 27 March 2015 on public service salary negotiations. Subsequently, on 30 March 2015 the state made an application for conciliation at PSCBC. The application has been made on two issues, a Multi-term Wage Agreement and Government Employees Housing Scheme (GEHS).
The parties agreed to put three (3) dates aside for the conciliation process to take place. The dates are 10, 14 & 15 April 2015. The first conciliation meeting took place on 10 April 2015. There are two independent conciliators who are facilitating this process.
On Friday’s meeting, parties agreed to start with GEHS and the meeting continued until early hours of Saturday. There is still no agreement on GEHS. The conciliation process is resuming tomorrow until Wednesday. If there is no agreement at the end of this session, there are two things that may happen – The state may choose to implement its offer unilaterally or labour apply to embark on industrial action (strike). But we will be guarded by the processes as they unfold.
Joint Mandating Committee (JMC) of COSATU visited all provinces last week to give feedback on salary negotiations. The JMC was led by all union National Office Bearers (NOBs). The NOBs met the provincial leadership and shop stewards. On a way forward, all provinces agreed that labour must participate in a conciliation process and push for higher offer. The provinces will embark on a mandatory process within structures to give feedback. Our mandate still stands at 10%, single-term, housing allowance of R1500 and other demands.
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