Public Servants Salary Increase Matter To Be Heard In Court Tomorrow
Tuesday December 1, 2020
The matter of the public servants salary increase is set down at the Labour Appeals Court (LAC) tomorrow (Wednesday December 2, 2020) after government elected to continue to renege on the implementation of PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2018 especially clause 3.3.
Government declared war on the public sector workers by approaching the court to declare the agreement null and void, this is despite the fact that they implemented the first two years of the agreement without fail. Our legal team will prove in court that government’s argument is both flimsy and ridiculous at the same time. As the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), we will not allow government to renege on binding collective bargaining agreements willy-nilly as this sets a bad precedence to other employers who take a leaf out of government’s book and elect to undermine collective bargaining as enshrined in our constitution and labour relations legislative frameworks.
We note the attempt by government especially the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) through the state attorney to try and postpone the case earlier this morning. We are vehemently opposed to any postponement or delaying tactics meant to frustrate workers even more. The only thing we need from government is the full implementation of the Resolution 1 of 2018 as we have ran out of patience for their silly antics. Our members and workers are currently facing financial hardships because of the decision by government not to pay salary increases which were due on the 1st April 2020.
For us, this is a do or die fight and we are not prepared to lose at all. The shenanigans by government are a frontal attack on collective bargaining and a declaration of war on workers. The national union will do everything in its power to fight government for reversing the gains of our members and disregarding binding collective bargaining agreements. NEHAWU will use all resources available at its disposal to defend its members and workers against the onslaught by government.
The national union will continue to update its members and workers accordingly on this matter.
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Khaya Xaba (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 082 455 2500 - email khaya@nehawu.org.za