Two Congress of South African Trade Unions-affiliated (Cosatu) public-sector unions on Sunday said they planned to follow a ”work-to-rule” principle ahead of an announcement on a looming national strike.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the South African State and Allied Workers’ Union (Sasawu) said the work-to-rule action would start on Monday.
This meant that workers would only carry out the job description that they were hired to do, said Fikile Majola, Nehawu general secretary.
Sasawu general secretary Mthimkhulu Mashiya said: ”The starting point of our programme is the work-to-rule this week for all of our members.”
On Friday, Cosatu affiliates and independent unions were united in rejecting government’s 6% wage increase offer. Public service coordinating bargaining council vice-chairperson of labour, Shireen Pardesi said a date on joint action for all unions was expected this week.
Dan van Wyk of the Public and Allied Workers’ Union of South Africa (Pawusa), another Cosatu affiliate, said a decision on a work-to-rule action had not been taken but that workers would partake in picketing from Monday.
Other affiliates were still consulting their members.
The Cosatu unions’ concerns include salary increases limited to inflation targeting, housing allowances, medical aid contributions and pay progression.
Public Service Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi has described the call for a 12% salary increase as unaffordable and impractical.
Independent labour unions were also balloting members, the Sunday Independent reported. – Sapa