Johannesburg | Tuesday
CONCILIATORY talks between the state and labour unions in a bid to resolve a wage dispute ended without agreement on Monday night.
The state pay rise offer of between 6,5 and eight percent would remain on the table until 10am on Tuesday, Public Service and Administration department representative Tembela Kulu said.
”We want to give those unions who wish to sign an opportunity to do so,” she said.
If the majority of the unions did not accept the offer by deadline, workers could choose to go on strike or opt for arbitration.
Public Servants Association general-manager Anton Louwrens expressed disappointment at the outcome and accused the state of negotiating in bad faith.
The state and 12 public service labour unions have been locked in negotiations since last week in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Labour unions were disgruntled with the state’s offer and were also unhappy that the issue of public service restructuring was added to the issues under negotiation.
According to a proposal by the state, unions accepting the wage increase would also acquiesce to the restructuring of state assets without any further consultations, Louwrens said.
”This is not acceptable,” he said.
”Another agreement already exists in terms of which restructuring can only take place after extensive consultation.”
Labour unions were concerned that such a situation could lead to large-scale retrenchments.
Government said it had every intention of continuing with consultations on the restructuring process.
Louwrens said the state was using heavy-handed tactics to force unions to accept its offer without a chance of obtaining a mandate from their members.
”There is no way we can consult our members and make a decision by 10am tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said.
”I honestly doubt that any union will agree to the state’s conditions.” – Sapa