Teachers will hold marches around the country on Thursday to protest against government’s offer of a 5,5% salary increase, the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) said.
At a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Sadtu secretary general Thulas Nxesi said the union was confused by the government’s offer made at the bargaining chamber on Monday.
”We are surprised that the employer has not moved beyond his offer of 5,5% especially as they have been hinting unofficially of an increase offer of six percent,” he said. Sadtu has demanded a seven percent increase.
Nxesi said the union would meet the government again on Friday after the marches. Should the Friday negotiations fail, the union’s executive would meet to discuss the possibility of a full-blown strike.
”Currently we have just talked about marches and pickets but if nothing happens we will be forced to strike,” he said adding the pickets were an indication of the union’s frustration.
The chairperson of Sadtu’s Gauteng branch, Sello Tshabalala, said despite what the public might think, the union would be happier if a full-blown strike was averted.
”The public will be saying educators are irresponsible, but the public needs to ask who is pushing educators out.”
Asked about the effects strike would have on pupils as exams drew nearer, Tshabalala said the union would do everything to ensure all work is covered.
”We are prepared to make up extra time… we will go the extra mile to make up for lost time.”
Nxesi accused the government of wasting time and said the union had presented its initial demands in March.
”We wanted to avoid wasting time. We were worried about the exams. We are into six rounds of negotiations. They have deliberately stalled the negotiations thinking that teachers would become desperate and accept anything.”
”Their conduct leaves much to be desired,” he said.
He added that the union was willing to compromise.
”We will not be rigid. We will negotiate and we are willing to compromise. Whatever their offer may be [on Friday] we will evaluate it.” – Sapa