The showdown between the government and public sector workers continued on Friday afternoon after unions labelled Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi’s final wage offer “mischeavous” and “ridiculous.”
Baloyi had earlier said he was confident unions would accept government’s latest offer.
Some of the protestors who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday said they were insulted. One woman called it “absolutely outrageous,” adding “it is stupid.”
Another man said, “The response by our minister was an insult to the workers.”
Meanwhile, some unions said they were not even willing to take the offer back to their members.
Sadtu General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke said, “We have rejected that particular ridiculous offer and we’ll not even take it to our members for consultation, because it’s not worth taking to our members for consultation.”
Unions remained adamant they will shut down the public service on August 10 by embarking on an indefinite strike.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union – the biggest teaching union in the country – said the government’s offer to increase the housing allowance by R10 is laughable.
The Public Service Assocation, which is already out on strike, said its members will return to work on Monday so the union can consult them on joining the Cosatu affiliated unions in a unified strike, which may cripple the public service sector.
’BE REASONABLE’
Meanwhile, Baloyi has called on union members to be reasonable when considering government’s offer. He said the above-inflation offer is already putting strain on the coffers.
“We have a budget of R23.5 billion. Anything above inflation is taking the state too far,” he said.
The minister hopes a draft resolution will be signed in the next week.
(Edited by Aletta Gardner)