/ 12 August 2010

Public-sector unions, govt set for more talks

Public-sector unions and the government were scheduled to meet for another round of wage talks in Pretoria on Thursday evening, an official said.

“It will take place at the PSCBC [Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council] in Centurion tonight,” said public service and administration spokesperson Dumisani Nkwamba.

“It is our hope as government that we would not want to see a full-blown national strike. Our approach as government is that we should find a way to prevent that,” said Nwamba.

Members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Independent Labour Caucus went on strike this week to demand better wages.

The unions last week rejected government’s revised wage offer of a 7% increase and a R630 housing allowance, as well as a 1,5% fixed-pay progression.

Workers were demanding an 8,6% wage increase and a R1 000 housing allowance, backdated to April 1. — Sapa