The Star E-dition

SAPU feels let down by majority unions

ITUMELENG MAFISA

THE South African Policing Union (Sapu) has expressed disappointment in the majority of public service unions who have signed the latest wage offer from government.

This comes after the majority of public service unions signed the government’s offer of 1.5% increase and monthly cash gratuity this week.

Public sector wage negotiations had been deadlocked for months, as unions were reluctant to agree to the wage increase offered by the government.

Most of the unions are affiliated to the Federation of Unions of SA, while some are affiliated to Cosatu, excluding National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the police union Sapu.

The general secretary of Sapu, Peter Ntsime, said: “Sapu wants to voice its disappointment and despondence over the signed 1.5% pay progression with a cash bonus of R1 000 to public servants. This agreement has not only sold out our members, it clearly undermines the unity of workers.”

Ntsime said the union was shocked that the government could come up with a budget to distribute R350 to unemployed South Africans till March 2021 and offer business tax incentives but could not afford to properly pay public servants.

Nehawu also confirmed to The Star that they had not signed the offer but would allow the democratic process to take place making way for the offer to be implemented based on the majority who accepted the offer.

METRO

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2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/281569473763761

African News Agency