PRETORIA: Labor unions representing 1.3 million public servants will convene a series of meetings this week as they seek a new mandate to take wage talks forward. Government negotiators have also been ordered by conciliators to consult their principals and return to talks next Monday with their maximum offer.
The public sector wage talks have been held under conciliation for some time now following a breakdown of talks at the beginning of April. The Independent Labour Caucus (ILC), an umbrella body representing independent unions, said that this week must to be used for realistic reflection.
“We are going to assess among others, are our demands achievable. We have put a 10 percent demand, we have 5.8 percent from the employer’s side. What are the chances that we will meet them?” asked the ILC’s Basil Manuel.
