Question NW307 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
12 April 2021 - NW307
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Whether he has been informed of reports that certain public sector unions are demanding wage increases of up to 10% during the upcoming round of wage negotiations (details furnished); (2) (a) what are the full details of all the various demands that have so far been tabled by public sector unions in relation to the upcoming round of wage negotiations and (b) will he furnish Dr L A Schreiber with a list consisting of the (i) name of each labour union and (ii) demands they have tabled; (3) Whether it is the position of his department that a wage increase of 10% is considered a reasonable demand; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) can only respond to formal demands tabled by labour in the Public Service Coordinating Council (PSCBC). At the time of this reply, the unions to the PSCBC had not formally tabled their demands as per Council processes. Therefore the MPSA has not been informed of any wage increase demand of up to 10% during the upcoming round of wage negotiations.
(2)(a) The union parties to the PSCBC tabled their demands in relation to the upcoming round of wage negotiations on first March 2021 and they are attached as annexure to this reply.
(2(b)(i)(ii) The information requested is not available for the reasons indicated above.
(3) The process of engagement between parties in the PSCBC on wage negotiations occurs under the purview of the PSCBC. The employer will negotiate on the basis of fairness, equity, sustainability and affordability.
End