FIFI PETERS: The large focus proper now as we result in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday is the public wage invoice and what occurs to it? Government and unions proper now are on reverse sides of the fence by way of how a lot public-sector wages will increase, and unions are threatening to strike in the event that they don’t get their manner.
For extra on this story I’m joined by Jannie Oosthuizen, who’s the supervisor for labour relations on the PSA [Public Servants Association of South Africa]. Jannie, thanks a lot on your time. Can you inform us what the newest is [regarding] discussions between the PSA and authorities proper now, and what your place because the PSA is?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Good night, Fifi, and to the listeners as effectively.
We have served discover right this moment on the Public Service Bargaining Council by way of the Labour Relations Act, to offer discover of a full-blown strike.
The act requires that we have to present a seven-day discover. So the discover interval will come to an finish on the November 3 subsequent week, the place we’ll then take part in picketings throughout lunch occasions, and thereafter it would proceed right into a full-blown strike.
FIFI PETERS: All proper. So there’s a risk that – if between right this moment and November 3 you’ll be able to attain a cope with the federal government – a strike might be averted?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Well, if we will attain a deal, which may be very unlikely given the present scenario and the present circumstances, as we as PSA have tried every little thing in our energy, really the complete labour [force] has tried every little thing in its energy to persuade the employer to supply us with a selected security clause with a purpose to shield the money gratuity.
[From] the employer, sadly, what they’re doing is obvious; they’re attempting to delay the method additional [and] should not on the identical web page as we as organised labour, and they don’t seem to be keen to budge or to revise their offer to enhance it.
Therefore the strike is inevitable. It will certainly proceed.
FIFI PETERS: Are they supplying you with causes as to why they’ll’t at this stage provide you with that assurance concerning the gratuity of R1 000, and why they’re unable to maneuver on their present wage offer, which I perceive is 3% at this stage?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: That’s 100% appropriate. The offer is 3% on our pensionable increase. They haven’t supplied us with any the reason why they can’t present the protection clause to us. The solely factor they stated is that, by way of the decision, by way of the structure of the PSCBC [Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council], their offer has really lapsed – or the decision has lapsed by way of the structure. The 21 days have elapsed with no majority signature, due to this fact the offer is off the desk.
They have despatched us a letter indicating that they are going to unilaterally implement [their offer], which has taken the unions unexpectedly …
Because it’s the primary time in historical past, by way of my understanding, that such an motion by the employer – really the conceitedness of the employer – is being portrayed, which [has] actually put the petrol on the hearth on behalf of the unions, as a result of that may be a clear assault on collective bargaining and a disregard of the Labour Relations Act and the structure of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council.
FIFI PETERS: So what are you saying? You’re saying that authorities has stated that they’re implementing a 3% wage increase, whether or not you prefer it or not – take it or depart it form of type.
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: That is [why] they’ve known as a gathering and stated the minister is considering implementing it unilaterally.
FIFI PETERS: Which is one thing that you’re not in in settlement with. So what we’re studying, and what we’ve heard the minister say, in addition to authorities, is that the federal government can’t afford it proper now – and that’s maybe why they’ll’t provide you with that assurance across the R1 000 money gratuity.
What do you say concerning the place of affordability, provided that issues are powerful proper now and that the federal government must be seen to be spending prudently in the case of its expenditure? What do you say about that?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Well, we completely deny the narrative to say that they can’t afford it, as a result of it’s already there.
In phrases of the decision that was signed in 2021, the R1 000 money gratuity will proceed till such a time that there’s a brand new settlement in place. They have budgeted for that.
The cash is there, so it won’t value them something extra. So it’s very unusual to us [that they] really to try to promote that narrative to the public.
If they cease diluting the coffers of presidency, then there could be cash to pay the employees [who have been] on the forefront throughout the pandemic, throughout the present battle, and haven’t acquired any increase for the previous three years.
So we actually don’t agree with the narrative that they’re attempting to painting, attempting to get public sympathy with that narrative.
FIFI PETERS: Are all of your members in settlement proper now concerning a strike?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Yes. All of them are in settlement. The PSA has been mandated by an outright majority to go on the strike.
FIFI PETERS: In the occasion that there’s nonetheless a block by way of this R1 000 gratuity, I do know and I’ve learn that the PSA can be keen to forfeit the gratuity in favour of a 6% increase in wages. Can you affirm whether or not that’s appropriate?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Well, we should take the offer again to our members, if in any respect such an offer ought to come to the desk.
We are a mandate-driven organisation, and we will be unable to say [whether] we’ll settle for or we’ll reject it till our members give us the go-ahead.
But there’s a risk, in the event that they put the money gratuity into the baseline – it’s undoubtedly a risk.
FIFI PETERS: Okay. But within the absence of that, instruments might be downed on November 3, you say, and also you’re keen to carry out for so long as authorities hardballs?
JANNIE OOSTHUIZEN: Precisely, as a result of it’s clear and appears to me that, [from] the Eskom strike and the Transnet strike, that’s the solely language that the present authorities is knowing.
It appears to me [if] there’s a strike, then hastily you get a good or acceptable or cheap increase, and never the peanuts they’re providing the federal government workers at this stage.
FIFI PETERS: All proper, sir. Thanks a lot for giving us that replace. We’ll watch the developments as they proceed to unfold on this entrance. Jannie Oosthuizen is the supervisor for labour relations on the PSA.