Most public-service unions on Thursday agreed to sign the government’s final wage offer, ending the longest public-service strike in South African history.
Although teachers’ unions, whose members were at the forefront of the strike, did not accept the deal, majority approval means it will be implemented across the whole public service.
”It’s not quite a win-win for everybody. It’s a win-win for certain sectors and maybe not such a win-win for other sectors,” said Dave Balt, president of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa. He said teachers’ unions will take their grievances up with the government.
”There are a number of aspects of the actual proposal that are unacceptable to us. There will be a process where we will follow up,” he said.
Apart from a 7,5% increase, the government’s offer includes an increase of the consumer price index less mortgage costs (CPIX) plus 1% for next year. It also makes provision for the implementation of revised salary structures for professionals in the public service, and includes an increased government employees’ medical-scheme contribution as well as a R500 housing allowance.
The deal also contains a framework for setting up a minimum service agreement with essential-service workers. This will ensure that minimum services will be maintained during strikes.
”Definitely we would see a situation during a future strike that essential services would not be as severely affected. There would not be any loss of life,” said Success Mataitsane, of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers.
As part of the agreement, a no-work, no-pay rule will apply. Public servants who were on strike will have pay deducted over the next three months. Balt commented: ”Obviously we were hoping for something more accommodating.”
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union president Noluthando Mayende Sibiya hailed the deal as a victory for workers, despite the fact that they didn’t get the 12% increase for which unions initially aimed.
”The strike is historic; a turning point in the lives of public-sector workers. This combination of unity and militancy means that never again will the employer dare to treat us with the callous indifference they have displayed in the past and during this dispute.
”They were forced to compromise when confronted by the militancy and determination of the workforce,” she said.
Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi on Thursday only acknowledged that the strike had been called off. She expressed no opinion on the announcement that the majority of unions had accepted the government’s final wage offer.
”Government, as the employer, acknowledges the calling-off of the strike action by public-service unions and awaits a majority signature,” read her one-line statement. — Sapa