A police officer — who asked to be identified only as Godfrey, for fear of repercussions — said the 3% increase offer was too little given the state of the economy.
With 33 police officers killed in the last financial year, Godfrey, who had travelled from Limpopo, also endorsed the calls for a higher death grant.
“They must increase the money given when a member has been killed. Life is expensive [for their families]. If they don't meet our demands, we will take it further — even to the point of downing tools,” he said.
Business Day reports that if public service unions formally reject the government’s wage hike offer of 3% — and a R1,000 after-tax cash gratuity payable to all public servants until March 2023 — they would need to declare a dispute. This would unlock a conciliation process within the public service co-ordinating bargaining council.
LISTEN | Police, prison officials demand 10% salary increase
Image: Shonisani Tshikalange
Demands for an increase commensurate with the rising cost of living and interventions to address the safety of law enforcement officials prompted a march on the Union Buildings on Tuesday by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru).
Listen here:
Popcru members have rejected the government's 3% wage increase offer, saying they want a 10% hike backdated to April 2021.
The union, representing police, correctional services officials and traffic officers says the government should honour the last leg of the three-year wage agreement signed in 2018. The government was allowed to exit the final year of the three-year deal after proving its need to rein in bloated salary costs.
They are also calling for increases in their danger and clothing allowances, as well as the R250,000 death grant awarded to families of police officers who are killed.
Tshwane metro police are monitoring the march.
A police officer — who asked to be identified only as Godfrey, for fear of repercussions — said the 3% increase offer was too little given the state of the economy.
With 33 police officers killed in the last financial year, Godfrey, who had travelled from Limpopo, also endorsed the calls for a higher death grant.
“They must increase the money given when a member has been killed. Life is expensive [for their families]. If they don't meet our demands, we will take it further — even to the point of downing tools,” he said.
Business Day reports that if public service unions formally reject the government’s wage hike offer of 3% — and a R1,000 after-tax cash gratuity payable to all public servants until March 2023 — they would need to declare a dispute. This would unlock a conciliation process within the public service co-ordinating bargaining council.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
Strike at Putco ends after unions accept wage offer
Q&A with Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi on the national shutdown
Economists are concerned that more strikes are afoot
Poor pay, trauma and lack of benefits among factors driving cops to suicide
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos