Public service unions did not understand government’s wage increase offer and could therefore not negotiate seriously about it, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Pretoria, she said the government wanted workshops to explain its offer to those who were in the coordination bargaining chamber.
The government was still open to further negotiations but said it was waiting for organised labour to ”engage”.
”It is not very useful for organised labour to stick to the original position they have put on the table, it does not reflect negotiation, it’s contrary to the spirit of negotiation,” she said.
On Friday, Cosatu affiliates and independent unions were united in rejecting government’s 6% wage increase offer, again demanding a 12% increase.
The unions were expected to announce a date for joint labour action this week. Some reports suggested that unions were considering joint strike action on May 25.
Fraser-Moleketi said government had not received any official notification and described the unions’ threats as ”robust campaigning through the media”.
In the meantime action would be taken against any public service employee taking part in a go-slow or work-to-rule action, Fraser-Moleketi said.
The government had not received any official notification of industrial action, including go-slows and work-to-rule. Such action would be considered an unprotected strike.
”We intend dealing with employees who may have decided to take such action,” she said.
She said managers across government had been given the go ahead to take disciplinary action that may vary from a warning to dismissal. — Sapa