Public service unions to give feedback this week on government’s revised 5% wage offer

BL Premium reports that unions representing more than 1.3-million public servants are this week expected to provide feedback on a revised three-year wage offer tabled by the state at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). Parties met on Wednesday at the PSCBC where the government revised its wage offer from 4.7% to 5% for 2025/26, leading to public service unions to revise their wage demand down to 6%. PSCBC general secretary Frikkie de Bruin said wage increases for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years would be indexed to CPI.

“If the projected CPI percentage for the relevant period is less than 4% the projected CPI for the relevant period will be deemed to be 4% and, in the event, the projected CPI for the relevant period is above 6%, the projected CPI will be deemed to be 6%. The term of the agreement will be three years,” De Bruin explained. The government has offered increases in various allowances including housing (from R1,784 to R1,900 on 1 April, with a further CPI-determination adjustment for 2025/26).

“Labour has requested time to consult with their members and will provide feedback at a council meeting scheduled for 15 January 2025,” De Bruin indicated. The government has provided R11bn over the next two years for voluntary early retirement packages for public servants 55 years and older in a bid to reduce the public sector wage bill. It is assumed that about 30,000 government employees will take the package: 12,000 in the first year and 18,000 in the second year.

by Luyolo Mkentane
Ref: SA Labour News

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