The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) told its members and workers to return to work after reaching a settlement agreement with the government on Wednesday.
The union said in a statement that the government has agreed the remainder of the 2022/23 wage agreement will be concluded at the same time as the 2023/24 wage negotiations.
The strike was suspended pending the settlement agreement process along with salary adjustments for the 2023/24 financial year.
“The government has recognized the need to have a Minimum Service Level Agreement. After the attack, the government has now appreciated the urgency of engagement on the MSLA framework within 6 months,” said Nehawu.
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“We want to address the issue of unilateralism and attacks on collective bargaining from 2020 onwards with the 2022/23 public service wage negotiations.”
Nehawu praised the workers
Nehawu said the strike was against the implementation of “austerity measures” by the government
which sees a permanent wage freeze in the Public Service from 2020 with a fall in average civil servant wages linked to the Cost of Living.
“Through the power of labor, we can ensure that the government returns to the bargaining council to negotiate a salary increase for 2022/2023, which until now the government arrogantly thought it was over and done with.”
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“As part of the reversal of unilateralism, an agreement in principle was concluded that the government will not use unilateralism in the event of a dispute, but will explore and eliminate the dispute resolution mechanism available in the council process.”
There were no casualties
When members return to work, the union and its structure say they will be available to support and intervene in cases of “victims” or “intimidation” by employers who violate settlement agreements.
“Because of this achievement, we want to confirm that the union is proud and congratulate its members and workers for carrying out a relentless struggle, maintaining a fierce picket line and carrying out a peaceful general strike.”
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