Buthelezi 'ashamed of countrymen'

[AndyD]

They've also cave in on numerous occasions recently to wage increases massively over inflation standards so it's now a case of 'well they got it, why shouldn't we?'.

[flaker]

let us all vote for Lndiwe Sisulu as next President. I bet she will rule as Iron Ladty Thatcher that had the british steel workers regretting ever commencing their strike.

[Dave A]

Concern is mounting from the government and economists over the pressure the public-sector wage bill is placing on the state.

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said the government could not justify large salary increases at present, when faced with other spending priorities such as social grants and infrastructure building.

"Put simply," Maseko said, "government will be borrowing money to pay wages and debt service costs. This is not only unsustainable but will require future generations to pay for our current spending."
full stroy from M&G here

The article also puts some numbers to those stats trends I was referring to in an earlier post.

[Butch Hannan]

This whole "civil service" is to say at the least very confusing. They just do not perform and want more money for doing less and less work. If you look at any newspaper take note of all the jobs that are being advertised for provincial and national government. If they filled all these posts we would most probably be in dire financial straits. Civil servants need to be honest with themselves and should ask of themselves do they deserve a salary increase because of the good job they are doing. On this basis very few of them would qualify for a salary increase.
I also have a major problem with the strikers infringing the rights of the other citizens of our country.

[Dave A]

South Africa's government has tabled a new wage offer to striking public servants, Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi's spokesperson said on Tuesday.

"A negotiated draft settlement offer stands as follows -- a 7,5% salary increment and R800 monthly housing allowance," Dumisani Nkwamba said in a statement.

Asked if this meant the strike was at its end, he replied: "We hope so. The unions are consulting with their members and the government has called on them to expedite the process."
full story from M&G here

Going to be interesting to see if the unions accept.

[desA]

While the rest of the world moves into depression, SA workas get fat-cat increases.

Way to go, chasps.