Unions: Govt ignoring teachers

2009-06-29 21:04

Pretoria -Teachers' demands and concerns are not seen as a priority, Fedusa-affiliated teacher unions said on Monday.

The National Teachers Union (Natu) and the SA Teachers Union (SAOU) said in a statement that the department of education and the department of public service and administration had failed to comply with the occupation specific dispensation (OSD) policy.

"The OSD policy that was aimed at retaining and recruiting skills of public sector workers is set to be implemented by 30 June, yet critical demands such as outstanding payments for 2008 and 2007 pay progression have not been resolved," said Natu deputy president, Allen Thompson.

"The OSD Agreement 1 of 2007 was designed to not only improve working conditions but also to retain the skills of public sector workers such as teachers, doctors and nurses, within the country.

"However the working conditions of teachers have not properly been discussed despite the fact that further negotiations with the department of education have been requested."

Money 'not a problem'

SAOU chief executive officer, Chris Klopper, said that there was no reason why the demands of teachers could not be met since the minister of public service and administration, Richard Baloyi, had indicated that money was not a problem.

"During the advent of the collective bargaining, the minister suggested that funds are available and that parties must provide the necessary motivation for additional funds.

"The department of education has not been fair in negotiations since initial demands of teachers in terms of the OSD policy have been reduced from R56bn to R8.6bn, yet this proposal and significant reduction has been declined," said Klopper.

Waiting on department

"We have also requested that teachers' salaries be adjusted based on experience, with a proposed increase of 2% for every four years teaching experience. This is vital in terms of the OSD's aim to retain as well as recruit teachers in the public sector."

Klopper said the unions were waiting to see what happened on Tuesday, when the policy would be rolled out.

The unions said they believed they had made every effort to enter into productive negotiations with the two departments before the June 30 deadline, with very little success.

Baloyi on Monday said he was confident that all OSD negotiations would be completed on Tuesday.
 

- SAPA