PSA prepares members for strike

The Deputy-general manager of the Public Servants Association (PSA) Tahir Maepa says they have declared their disputes with the government, and are balloting their members for a strike action.

This comes after the Public sector unions have delayed the conclusion of wage negotiations with government as they were not satisfied with the offer that was put on the table.

The Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council allegedly concluded the wage negotiations last Friday.

The deal at hand offered employees a 7% increase and mid to senior-level staff 6.5% and 6% increases respectively.

The PSA said there is no way that they will settle for the wage agreement as it is worse than the previous offers.

PSA and government now have 21 days to try and reach an agreement and to sign the trade deal. The PSA says if their disputes are not dealt with, then there will be a strike which will be detrimental to the economy.

“If by the time the 21 days comes and there is no deal, unfortunately the state is going to collapse because if our members go to strike that will cost the economy billions of rands, money that we don’t have, money that we need.”