Johannesburg – With a major strike on the cards, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) said that the government had put measures in place to mitigate the impact of strike action by public servants today (Thursday).
The Public Service Association (PSA) has indicated that it will embark on a strike with its affiliates, joined by Fedusa.
According to a DPSA statement, all provisions related to the management of employees participating in the protected strike shall apply.
"The state, as the employer, calls upon trade unions to return to the bargaining chambers to start negotiations for the 2023/24 financial year in order to conclude the process before the Minister of Finance tables the final budget in February 2023.
“This further demonstrates the department’s commitment to realign the negotiations to the government's planning cycle," the DPSA said in a statement.
The statement added that they had considered the risks of public servants not receiving any salary increases for this financial year if the processes of wage negotiations are not concluded in time for the 2022 MTBPS, as outlined by the Minister of Finance.
The Acting Public Service and Administration Minister, Thulas Nxesi, said he would implement the last salary offer for public servants, which was tabled at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) after the facilitation process by both trade unions and the employer at the PSCBC.
Nxesi said the implementation of the offer should not be seen as undermining collective bargaining and the processes of the PSCBC.
The minister indicated that this would be in the interest of public servants and the government's planning cycle.
Nxesi said he was cognisant of the dispute resolution processes that were already under way at the PSCBC.
The department said it would continue with the current non-pensionable cash allowance until March 31, 2023, for all employees on salary levels 1 to 12.
This included those covered by the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), employed in the public service, and a 3% pensionable increase for all employees on salary levels 1 to 12, including those covered by the OSD employed in the public service, backdated to April 1, 2022.
According to the department, the date of payment is November 17.
DPSA added that the implementation of the non-pensionable cash allowance and 3% pensionable increase for members of the senior management service, with effect from April 1, 2022, will be implemented as soon as the cost of living adjustment for non-SMS is concluded.
The Star