SARS employees in Springs declare indefinite strike

On Thursday, SARS employees affiliated with Public Servants’ Association (PSA) and National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) gathered outside the Springs office for a peaceful strike.
The workers joined many other employees across the country who are demanding a 7% salary increment and 5% of the consumer price index from the year before.
NEHAWU union representative Madoda Madonsela said their industrial action started in May but had to be suspended due to talks with management. A conclusion was never reached, hence the recommencement of the strike on Monday.
“We allowed negotiations with the management to proceed but that did not materialise,” he said.
Madonsela explained that there have been various negotiations with SARS.

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“Previously, management offered us zero salary increment then after they raised it to 1.39%. We have rejected the offer that SARS has given us hence we decided to recommence with the strike,” said Madonsela.
According to the workers, they are expecting SARS to meet their demands or come up with a better offer than the 1.39% that has been put on the table.
“We have received correspondence from management through our negotiating platform, the National Bargaining Forum, requesting a meeting with our negotiators. We are certain that SARS will give us an ear,” said Madonsela.
Union representative Lucia Mathabe says workers will not return to work unless their demands are met.
“I am confident that we will get what we want, if not we will continue until we are heard,” she said.
Madonsela said that their recent activity has brought about a stop to freight developments in specific parts of the country.
The Truckers Association of South Africa has likewise conveyed complaints that there’s a defer in moving products because of the national strike.
Employees from Nigel, Benoni and Alberton offices were also part of the picketing at the SARS office in Springs.
With the cost of living on the rise, SARS employee Winnie Boikanyo awaits positive feedback from management and believes she will be able to manage her finances better as she is battling.

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“For the salary that we earn, I feel that we deserve better and we offer the public exceptional service all the time,” she said.
Single mother Mavis Cornish says the current salary that she earns is not enough to cover her day-to-day needs.
“As a single parent, it’s quite hard to juggle paying school fees and being caught up with other expenses such as utilities and transport costs,” she said.
In a statement issued by SARS, the revenue service says it has demonstrated transparency in its financial position and willingness to engage with the union on ending the industrial operation.
“SARS has done everything in its power and within the available funding to extend the offer to trade unions, which remains available,” it stated.
SARS says that it is willing to proceed with engagements with the unions on the proposal as well as the Employee Value Proposition.
The revenue service has urged taxpayers to try not to go to SARS offices, however; they may visit its website for additional updates to fulfil their required obligations.