Durban - Members of the Public Servants’ Association (PSA), who are embarking on a strike over its wage dispute with government, will march from King Dinuzulu Park to the Durban City Hall today.
Cosatu said while it supported the strike, it would not join the protest as it still needed to speak with its members.
PSA provincial manager Mlungisi Ndlovu said they were expecting thousands of public servants from KwaZulu-Natal to join the protest action.
“We will have public servants coming from Paulpietersburg, Dundee, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Howick, Kokstad and Richmond. We are going to have members across South Africa marching today against this wage offer by the government.”
Ndlovu said with the rising cost of living and inflation, they were left with no choice but to strike.
“We don’t want a 3% increase from the government, we want a 6.5% increase across the board and the continuation of the cash gratuity beyond March 31, 2023. We want South Africa to know most public servants will not be at work tomorrow. It is only essential workers that we expect to be at work.”
Edwin Mkhize, Cosatu KZN provincial secretary, said the trade union federation fully supported the strike by the PSA, but wouldn’t join in.
“The majority of our affiliate unions have indicated that they have rejected the latest wage offer by the government. However, our affiliate unions are following due processes and currently mobilising for their own action.”
The Department of Public Service and Administration said it noted the planned protest action and had issued picketing rules and put measures in place to mitigate the impact of the strike.
While workers have rejected the 3% wage increase offer made by the government, the department said the baseline increase of 3% would be paid to public servants on November 17.
“Also, the continuation of R1 000 after-tax gratuity will continue to be paid on a monthly basis until March 31, 2023.”
The department added that it wanted to start negotiations for the 2023/24 financial year in order to conclude the process before the minister of finance tabled the final Budget in February 2023.
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