PSA to down tools at SITA on Wednesday

Members affialiated with the Public Servants Association (PSA) are expected to kick off their wage strike at the State Information and Technology Agency (SITA) on Wednesday. 

The workers begun their labour action on Monday, with a full blown strike starting on Wednesday morning.

The public sector union is demanding a 7.5% salary increase, while SITA's last offer was 5%.

PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka says the union is disappointed by the offer.

"Our demand is 7,5% which is a settlement range that we have reached where we are going from 12% demand so the employer has today (Monday) came up with a provocation of wanting to implement 5% increase instead of engaging with us. As the PSA we are very disappointed with the conduct of the employer. Our members are more than upset because they are saying this shows arrogance and unappreciation by SITA."

Maleka warns that services could be disrupted at hospitals, Home Affairs and at SASSA grant payment points.

"Hospitals and clinics, licence departments, police services through 10111, they will not be able to do anything because they need technology to work, they need laptops and whatever systems that are in the hands of SITA."

SITA spokesperson Tladi Tladi says the agency has not yet experiences any issues linked to the strike. 

"Equally we would like to place on record that since the commencement of the industrial action, or the intensified version thereof as of yesterday (Tuesday).

"SITA has not experienced any service delivery failure that can be linked to the industrial action by the Public Servants Association. 

"We since the receipt of the notice of intention to embark on an industrial action initiated our internal processes where we activated of contegency plans in ensuring that we put structures in place to provide oversite over critical points that render service to government for government to be able to render services to the public."

Tladi adds that the agency remains willing to engage with the association.

"Indeed as from yesterday (Tuesday), members of the PSA downed tools or sections thereof where they were camping outside our offices mainly in our Pretoria and Centurion offices.

"We reached out to them in a number of occasions including Monday morning where we presented them an improved revised final offer which was rejected by the union. 

"The situation, as matters stand, is that there is no movement from either side. However, SITA would like to indicate to labour that they are stilling willing to sit down with them in order to have a fresh look at the situation and to approach these issues with open minds, exercising flexibility, taking all practical considerations into account in order to ensure that we safe guard the continued existence of the company going forward."