The Public Servants’ Association (PSA) has declared a dispute with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) because prosecutors have been waiting for more than a year for their salary increases, the trade union said on Monday.
The NPA has taken more than a year to implement the so-called occupation-specific dispensation, a new salary grading for legally qualified people, said PSA deputy general manager Manie de Clercq.
”We have declared a dispute with the NPA and the case has been referred for arbitration,” said De Clercq.
He could not confirm a report in the Star that prosecutors were launching a national silent protest on Monday, hanging banners in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban courts.
NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said there has been no official notification of the reported protest, adding that any industrial action will be illegal because they are essential services workers.
”We are aware that the delay in the implementation of the occupation-specific dispensation has generated a growing disquiet among our members,” said Tlali.
”We sympathise with them … we are doing everything possible to see to it that this issue is resolved.”
Asked why it is taking so long, he said it is a ”very involved process” that requires ”a thorough process of interaction with … the Justice Ministry, the Treasury and the Public Service and Administration Ministry.” — Sapa