Wage deal in SA public service yet to be clinched

By lunchtime on Monday, a final wage deal between South African public servants and government was yet to be signed by all parties, a department of public service and administration official said.

Briefing the media on behalf of Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo on Monday afternoon, deputy director general in the department Kenny Govender said unions and government had accepted “in-principle” a final offer tabled late on Friday night.

“The employer has signed the agreement and in terms of council procedures, the parties have a period of time to consider the agreement,” Govender said.

For 2018, government is offering a seven-percent increase for salary levels one to seven; 6.5 percent for levels eight to 10; and six percent for salary levels 11 to 12. For both 2019 and 2020, it is offering projected inflation (CPI) plus one percent for levels one to seven; CPI plus 0.5 percent for levels eight to 10; and projected CPI for salary levels 11 to 12. 

The Federation of Unions of SA said it was still consulting its members, while its biggest affiliate, the Public Servants’ Association, has declared a dispute, sticking to its demand of 10 percent across the board.

– African News Agency (ANA)