Some 800 000 union members may embark on an industrial action this week if a deadlock in wage negotiations is not broken.
The Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa), the National Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (Hospersa), as well as the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), are set to hold a briefing today to announce whether or not strike action is called for after they were given certificates of non-resolution at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).
Also read: Law enforcement on high alert amid #NationalShutdown strike
Last week, a 3% wage increase was unilaterally implemented in the public service when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana penciled in the average public wage growth rate in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, leaving unions dismayed and prompting a call for the dispute with the PSCBC to be resolved.
PSA national manager Claude Naicker told News24 that the picketing had already started in all departments throughout the provinces last week.
“[Workers at] Labour, Home Affairs, Transport, Hospitals, et cetera have all joined lunchtime pickets. [There will be] a major march in all provinces on the 10 November. Pickets will continue and then lead to a full-blown strike in the form of a stay away. The employer has not reached out to the unions as yet,” said Naicker.
Nehawu, Popcru, and Denosa also marched on Parliament last week, saying that they were preparing to embark on a full-blown strike as they rejected the 3% wage increase offer and demanded a 10% wage hike.
“What is likely to happen is that probably very early next week a media briefing will be held by all the unions where they will be announcing the way forward,” said Denosa spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo.
“It is only then that there will be more clarity, but currently, engagements are happening between unions and members.”
Also read:
Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library