SISULU AND COSATU COMMITTED TO SPEEDY FINALISATION OF WAGE TALKS

Richards Bay, KwaZulu Natal, July 15, 2012-Minister Sisulu and Cosatu Public Service Trade Unions Leaders met on Friday at the Minister's request to resolve matters related to the current wage talks. Parties acknowledged a great deal of progress that had been made and that it was regrettable that on the last phase an agreement could not be found and expressed regret that the talks ended in dispute, at the stage when margins between the two parties narrowed so considerably that a deal was in site. The union leaders particularly felt it was regrettable that government seemed intractable and dishonest and arrogant. 

Union Leaders expressed their dismay the way government negotiated in bad faith and accused government's arrogance on budgeting amounts which they knew was bellow CPI; that Government budgets the amount for salary increase and then calls in the unions and disingenuously calls it negotiations.

It was resolved that an accord would be explored where government and labour would deal with matters that impact on wage negotiations and basic principles on these would be resolved timeously.

Minister emphasised the constraints that government is dealing with and was appreciated. She urged them; together they should make sure that the negotiations are not derailed.

"I am content that labour was able to express themselves freely about the current untenable situation. I am confident that a solution would be found." Sisulu said.

As a dispute has been declared, due processes would need to follow. "We need to move on this issue so that we would be able to focus on other salient matters that are of mutual concern e.g. the professionalization of civil service, improvement and efficiency of delivery. She said.

It is government policy and the position of the Ministry "that government acts and is seen as an employer of choice by focussing on long outstanding issues of conditions of service and wage reform of public servants". Sisulu said "This is our absolute priority if we want to have a healthy and satisfied staff while at the same time repositioning our service offering for the benefit of our citizens. Our people deserve the best and that's what I am here to do".

Beyond the current wage dispute, the discussion was extremely productive. Labour Leaders showed a great deal of sensitivity toward the complex issues facing the State and were very receptive to a social accord between labour and government. "This is a significant step forward in the ongoing talks and signals a new perspective on government's relations with labour," Sisulu concluded.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Minister Sisulu, Minister for Public Service and Administration, July 15 2012

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