Nehawu members protest outside George Tabor Technical College in Soweto on March 8,
The strike by the National Union of Education, Health and Allied Workers (Nehawu), which turned violent and caused major disturbances in several public hospitals, has ended after resolving the impasse in the implementation of the cost of living adjustment.
However, in an indication of continued labor disputes, the rival Public Servants Association (PSA), which represents more than 235 000 government workers, rejected the latest offer from the state of a 7% salary increase, saying it remains steadfast in its demand for a 10% increase.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) said the strike by Nehawu, which began on March 6, arose out of an outstanding dispute over the implementation of the previous 2022/2023 cost of living adjustment fee by the government. .
“The facilitation process started (on March 9) as a means to get rid of the impasse between the parties. The State, as the employer, together with the Nehawu trade union joined by Popcru, Denosa and Sapu, are considering to prepare a way forward. Discussions and intense engagement continue until the end of the week and finally there is a settlement agreement for the facilitation process,” he said.
This comes after the labor appeal court on Monday banned Nehawu, members and workers working in essential public services from participating in the strike action. The court called the union’s approach to the strike by essential service workers “deplorable, severe and, in some cases, fatal”.
PSCBC said elements of the agreement include a cessation of hostilities between the parties after the strike, the implementation of “no work, no pay” cuts, an orderly return to work for striking employees within 24 hours of the strike. signing the agreement and tabling any remaining and substantial matters emanating from the 2022/2023 wage dispute.
Nehawu said he saluted frontline members and workers in public services who heeded the call “to defend collective bargaining”.
“We are calling on all members and workers on the picket line to prepare to return to work in an orderly manner, in line with the report given directly on the picket line this morning,” Nehawu added.
Elsewhere, the PSA said the government’s offer of a 7% salary increase did not take into account the rising cost of living and did not meet the needs of civil servants.
The PSA did not join the strike led by Nehawu and accused the latter of trying to intimidate its members who had reported for duty during the industrial action.
“The behavior shown by some unions cannot be tolerated and the PSA therefore welcomes the court’s ban on violent attacks against its members ‘under the guise of a strike’,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.
“PSA is further disappointed that while it is securing a well-deserved increase for its members, who will lose their cash gratuity in April 2023, other unions are not only disrupting negotiations but also intimidating PSA members.
“It … defies logic to suggest that participation in the current wage negotiations, with the aim of improving the conditions of civil servants, is a betrayal of the workers’ struggle. The PSA considers these strikes as a desperate attempt to remain relevant,” it added.