Eight trade unions belonging to the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC) and representing almost 40% of public-service employees will know by next Friday if their members will strike.
Speaking in Pretoria, Manie de Clercq, chairperson of the ILC, said the eight unions are ”balloting their members” and will have the results of that on May 25, but will probably start an indefinite strike on June 4.
Eight public-sector unions affiliated to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) announced on Tuesday that May 28 will be the start of a full-blown ”indefinite” strike.
”The employer has done little to constructively negotiate with labour on its demand, which includes various aspects other than a wage demand,” De Clercq said.
The government and trade unions have deadlocked over salary increases for public servants. Public-sector unions have rejected the government’s 6% wage increase offer and stand by their 12% demand.
The ILC consist of: the National Professional Teachers’ Union of South Africa; the National Public Service Workers’ Union; the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers; the Professional Educators’ Union; the Public Service Association; the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie; the South African Policing Union; and the United National Public Servants’ Association of South Africa and Allied Workers’ Union.
Earlier on Wednesday, three public-sector unions representing 105 000 workers said they will know by Friday of this week if their members will strike.
”We are making arrangements in provinces around essential services … and balloting members who are not in essential services to see if they want to go on strike. We should have an answer by Friday,” said assistant general secretary Manfred Rothballer of the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa).
Hospersa acts with the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) and the National Teachers’ Trade Union (Natu) on the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council, where they collectively represent about 105 000 members.
Rothballer said alternative action for essential services workers could include picketing during lunch-time and on days off.
The Hospersa group of public-sector unions act separately from both the ILC and Cosatu, Rothballer said.
Hospersa and Natu are members of the Federation of Unions of South Africa, and Nupsaw is a member of the Confederation of South African Workers’ Unions.
All unions united last week in rejecting the government’s offer of a 6% wage increase, saying the biggest strike in a decade seems ”unavoidable.”
Cosatu’s programme includes mass marches next Friday with demonstrations, picketing and a night vigil at Parliament on Sunday in the build-up to full industrial action on May 28. — Sapa