The Congress of South African Trade Unions on Tuesday declared its full support for Thursday’s planned strike action by public sector workers and urged all workers to join the strike.
”Their action is fully justified given the intransigent attitude of the government towards the reasonable and justified demands of the workers,” Cosatu said in a statement.
Cosatu lamented the government’s refusal to pay workers a ”decent salary” as well as the poor entry level pay, despite their providing the public with valuable services. The federation added that it was essential to do so in order to keep them from leaving the country to seek work overseas.
One solution to the problem suggested by Cosatu was the creation of ”an agreed career path” which would permit health, police and prison service staff to increase their salaries through promotion.
Cosatu accused the government of complicating the negotiations by, among other things, increasing its demand for ”zero real pay increases for 2005 and 2006, which the unions were absolutely right to reject”.
”Even at this eleventh hour, we would prefer to see a negotiated settlement. But if that is not possible these workers have the full support of the whole trade union movement behind them,” Cosatu said.
Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Public Service and Administration Deaprtment spokesperson Madoda Mxake said last-ditch talks with unions were still in progress and he was therefore unable to comment. – Sapa