More than 53% of unions at the Public Service Negotiating Bargaining Council have signed government’s offer. PSA spokesperson, Claude Naicker, confirmed that the deal was binding on all unions that represent public servants.
FILE: Public servants protested over wages in Durban on 10 November 2022. Picture: Nhlanhla Mabaso/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG – The majority of unions in the public sector have signed a two-year wage deal with government following sticky negotiations at the Public Service Negotiating Bargaining Council.
The deal includes the conversion of the current non-pensionable cash allowance into a pensionable salary, estimated at an average of 4.2%.
This would then be added to a 3.3% pensionable salary increase, bringing the average up to a total of 7.5% in the first year.
More than 53% of unions at the Public Service Negotiating Bargaining Council have signed government’s offer.
This includes the Public Servants Association (PSA) and teachers’ union, Sadtu.
The deal was signed in the nick of time, with the 2023/24 financial year set to begin on 1 April.
This means the new offer takes effect immediately.
Public service salaries for the 2024/2025 financial year will be hiked by a projected CPI, capped at 6.5%.
PSA spokesperson, Claude Naicker, confirmed that the deal was binding on all unions that represent public servants.
“All the rules make provision that if more than 51% – which constitutes the majority – then it becomes a binding agreement, even on those parties that have not signed it at all.”
Meanwhile, Nehawu still refuses to budge, accusing government of reneging on the 2022/2023 ceasefire agreement which ended the disruptive strike at healthcare facilities earlier this month.
