A strike by public servants came a step closer on Wednesday when the biggest public sector union rejected the state’s offer of a 5,3% wage increase.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said in a statement it rejected the proposal ”with the contempt it deserves”.
The union called for a strike if conciliation meetings failed to produce results by May 3.
Nehawu, which represents workers from the education, health, government and social welfare sectors, stuck to its demands for a 12% pay rise. This followed its national executive committee meeting on Wednesday.
Further demands included filling vacant posts, a review of medical and housing benefits and disconnecting job performance from pay progression.
Negotiator in the public service and administration department Kenny Govender previously said that the union’s demands were unaffordable.
”Note needs to be taken that the demands of labour equate to approximately R198-billion for one year. This is unaffordable and unsustainable, as it doubles the current wage bill of government in one year.” — Sapa