Cosatu has vowed to push ahead with its public service strike next week, despite the government revising its pay offer to 7%.
Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini told the Mail & Guardian on Thursday that, although labour acknowledged the improved offer, Cosatu unions would proceed with the strike. “The mandate from members is we should demand a 8,5% salary increase and a housing allowance of R1 000,” Dlamini said.
“We appeal to the government to take seriously what labour is demanding to avoid a catastrophic strike.”
He said it was not in labour’s interest to plunge the country into crisis.
Richard Baloyi, the public service minister, said on Thursday the government was ready to sign a draft resolution for the implementation of its offer, which included a negotiated salary increment from 6,5% to 7%, a housing allowance of R630 and a fixed pay progression of 1,5%.
The strike, potentially by 1,3Âmillion public servants, could bring services in wide range of sectors, including education, health and public security, to a standstill.
Cosatu said its members would stage marches in all the major centres, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nelspruit and ÂBloemÂfontein.
Dlamini blamed the breakdown in negotiations on the government’s approach of budgeting before talking to the unions. “This has to change,” he said.
Cosatu would continue pushing the government to change the current economic trajectory, which had resulted in workers not earning decent pay.
Dlamini said Cosatu would make a submission to the ANC national general council in September, calling for changes in economic policy.
“We hope the — council will come up with a new policy direction that will help us to implement the government’s five key priorities — education, health, crime, rural development and job creation,” he said.