Cosatu public service unions declare wage dispute, revert to 10% wage demand

The unions, which include Denosa, Nehawu, Pawusa, Popcru, Saepu, and Samatu briefed the media on Monday, following another collapse in the salary negotiations.

The public sector workers have not received a salary increase in more than three years.

The 3% offer, which government maintains was the final one, has lapsed after the majority of unions failed to sign within 21 days of circulation.

The unions are now demanding their initial 10% wage increase across the board.

The conciliation is scheduled for the 31st of October and the 1st of November at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council offices.

 Cosatu’s Simon Hlungwani says the unions will continue fighting for improved wages.

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"Workers cannot tolerate any longer this unbecoming behaviour of the employer undermining social dialogue and wanting to bulldoze their way. Understanding that our members lost their buying power as a result of the non-implementation of 2020 salary increase, and they continue to suffer non-growth on their pensions due to the effects of non-pensionable cash allowance for the second year in running.

“It is prudent that we must fight for a better wage increase than what is offered. Furthermore, having considered the economic outlook of government, our demands of a higher percentage above CPI is informed by the fact that the three main items (food, electricity and public transport) which drives the expenditure patterns of our members is way above the set CPI. Considering all factors, the present inflation has set workers in the negative economic path.

“We have resolved to rally our collective might to push the employer to better the rejected offer and will use everything in our power to register our disdain to the powers that be, including to the highest office in the land. We will show our anger through many activities and campaigns over this period commencing with a mass picket demonstration across provinces," says Hlungwani.