The pen will drop

Media statement: the pen drops

5 Aug 2010

Following a meeting with labour last week Thursday, Minister for Public Service and Administration Richard Baloyi made a pronouncement that come Wednesday next week (yesterday), he was ready to sign off a draft resolution for the implementation of the settlement.

The announcement that the pen will drop was an indication by Minister Baloyi that we needed to put the issue of negotiations behind so that we focus on other issues of priority in our agenda of service delivery and in this, presenting a sense of urgency with which to address this matter.

According to Baloyi, the urgency is meant to create a space for collective work in addressing some of the challenges in the public service that include:

•  The review of the remuneration policy
• The synchronisation of the salary negotiations with the budget cycle by government
• A return to April as the implementation month for salary settlement
• The building sustainable capacity in our negotiators
• The introduction of a multi-term focus in salary negotiations
• Further engagement in the housing support for employees.

The signing off did not take place yesterday despite the state being ready as labour requested for a postponement to today, thus not providing for the employer to table the revised offer. The Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) is currently sitting and the revised offer by the employer is under consideration.

The revised offer translates into a total package details of which are as follows:

• Negotiated salary increment, from 6.5 percent to 7 percent
• Housing allowance remains at R630.00, which translates to 0.5 percent
• A fixed pay progression of 1.5 percent

This amounts to a total average contribution of 9 percent (7 percent + 0.5percent + 1.5 percent = 9 percent) for public servants at salary level 1 to 12.

A further benefit analysis on expositions of gains due to 7 percent increment is carried in the annexure.

For more information contact:
Dumisani Nkwamba
Cell: 082 885 9884
Tel: 012 336 1704

Lebohang Mafokosi
Cell: 082 312 4641
Tel: 012 336 1017

Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
5 Aug 2010