The biggest public-sector strike in a decade seemed ”unavoidable” on Friday as public-sector trade unions stood united in rejecting the government’s wage-increase offer.
”All unions are now in the process of mobilising our membership at all levels and consulting them on taking strike action,” said a joint statement by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and independent public-sector unions.
”The biggest public-service strike in a decade seems to be unavoidable.”
Unions met in Centurion and ”emerged fully united” in rejecting the government’s offer to increase wages by 6%, the statement said.
Last week Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said the government’s offer of 6% stood — against union demands of 12%.
The unions said close to a million workers would take to the streets to express ”disgust” at the government’s offer.
The statement dismissed media reports that had claimed divisions between Cosatu-aligned and independent unions over wage demands.
”The meeting unanimously rejected as false media reports of divisions among the unions.”
While mobilising for action, unions would still respond positively to a genuine offer from government to reopen negotiations.
Fraser-Moleketi has described the call for 12% as unaffordable and impractical.
Monday was the last day of a 30-day period that the government and unions had allowed themselves to find a solution. — Sapa