Pretoria - A long night of talks between the Minister of Public Service and Administration Richard Baloyi and union leaders to find a settlement in the public sector wage negotiations and bring an end to the strike has produced a draft settlement offer.
The negotiated draft settlement offer includes a 7.5 percent salary increment and a R800 monthly housing allowance. Unions have demanded an 8.6 percent increase and a R1000 housing allowance.
Public service unions have requested time to consult with their members on the draft settlement offer, although government has called on unions to expedite the process with a view to find a speedy resolution to the dispute.
A follow up meeting of the Public Service Coordinating and Bargaining Council (PSCBC) will be held on Wednesday for consideration of the offer. Following the formal processes at the PSCBC, Minister Baloyi will address the media and elaborate on the new public service wage offer.
The minister and unions last night returned to the negotiating table after President Jacob Zuma instructed parties to find a solution that would bring the strike to an end as matter of urgency
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said yesterday that government would make every possible endeavour to ensure that a settlement is reached so that all public servants can return to work.
