MBOMBELA – The premier Mr David Mabuza met Nehawu’s leadership on Tuesday, within the promised period after he was presented with a petition last Thursday.

The union marched to the provincial government headquarters last week, submitted a memorandum, and demanded a response within seven days.

Tuesday’s meeting resolved to strengthen the chamber of the public service coordinating governing council of Mpumalanga Province, which deals with negotiations between the unions and the employers.

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It appeared that the structure has not operated as effectively as it should have, thereby creating frustration in the union, which subsequently opted for a mass action on Thursday.

Union representatives told Mabuza that the strike last Thursday was as a result of “frustration” regarding chamber processes, since the provincial government was usually represented by junior officials who had no mandate to talk on certain issues, and that the meetings were continuously postponed.

In turn, Mabuza said there was a need to strengthen the processes and that the provincial government should take responsibility by restoring the dignity of the chamber through appointing senior, mandated officials.

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“The reason we are gathered here is because some of the issues have escaped the chamber, and I am not getting a sense that all processes have been followed, and whether there was a deadlock which could have necessitated the strike.

If the union’s frustrations are not resolved, we will continue to meet like this, and yet this is not how the processes should unfold. I am very keen to handle political matters rather than administrative issues. We therefore need to firm up the processes, and ensure that everyone who goes to the chamber has a mandate,” said Mabuza.

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The director general, Mr Thulani Mdakane, was tasked to engage with the leadership of labour to enhance the processes of the chamber in order to resolve all the issues which were raised by Nehawu.

He has committed to ongoing engagement with the union on matters of governance and service delivery.