Government and NEHAWU to continue engagement on collective bargaining and workplace issues
25 September 2020 - 4:30pm
Government and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) will continue engagement on a range of issues concerning collective bargaining and workplace conditions in the public sector, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was the agreement today, Friday, 25 September 2020, at a meeting hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the national office-bearers of the public-sector trade union.
The meeting followed the union’s submission of a memorandum to the President relating to, among others, improving occupational health and safety uniformly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions of service more broadly and implementation of clause 3.3 of Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) Resolution 1 of 2018, which deals with salary adjustments for the 2020/21 financial year, and which is currently the subject of litigation.
President Ramaphosa chaired the meeting in which NEHAWU was represented by the union’s President, Mzwandile Makwayiba; First Deputy President Mike Shingange; Second Deputy President Nyameka Macanda; National Treasurer Kgomotso Makhupola, and General Secretary Zola Saphetha.
Minister in The Presidency Jackson Mthembu, Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi, Minister for the Public Service and Administration Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla also participated in the meeting which was characterised by a frank and cordial exchange of views and information .
The meeting agreed that government and NEHAWU will continue work on the issues raised in the NEHAWU memorandum that are currently being discussed by task teams comprising government and NHEHAWU.
Reports of these task teams will be presented to a meeting of senior leadership of government and public sector unions who will meet again soon on a mutually convenient date to develop solutions in the interest of workers, the public sector and the nation and economy at large.
Statement issued by Tyrone Seale, The Presidency, 25 September 2020
