NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
FRIDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2010
(334 Mr M W Makhubela (COPE-Limpopo) to ask the Minister for the
Public Service and Administration:
Whether, with regard to the recent public service workersâ strike
and their demand of 8,6% wage increase and a R1000 housing
allowance, his department has any further plans in place to address
this issue in order to end the strike as soon as possible; if not,
why not; if so,
a) what is the next move in terms of negotiating with Cosatu,
b) why did his department not budget for this wage increase and
c) what structures will his department put in place to prevent
such occurrence in the future? W429E
REPLY:
The Government as an employer led by the Minister for Public Service
and Administration has met with Principals of Labour in an attempt to
resolve the current dispute. As a result of the engagements a revised
offer of 7,5% salary increase and increase of the housing allowance to
R800 per month was tabled at the Public Service Co-ordinating
Bargaining Council (PSCBC).
a) Labour, during the PSCBC meeting held on Monday 06 September 2010,
jointly indicated that all strike action has been suspended and
that all unions have 21 days to consult with their members on the
revised offer. A special PSCBC meeting is scheduled for
08Â September 2010 with the view to find a settlement.
b) Government has budgeted for an inflationary salary increase for the
2010/11 financial year of 5.5% and therefore did not budget for the
current offer of 7.5% salary increase and the increase in the
housing allowance to R800 per month.
c) Parties to the PSCBC are considering the alignment of the salary
negotiation process with the budgetary process of Government. This
approach will ensure that the demands of Labour are known and
government is in a position to develop proposals in response to
Labourâs demands, before the budgetary process in government is
finalised. As part of strengthening the collective bargaining
structures in the public service, parties have agreed to conduct a
proper assessment and review of the current bargaining structures
to develop new structures suitable for the landscape of the public
service.
____________________________________________________________________
__