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Strike numbers declining
14/06/2007 21:24 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The number of striking public servants has "significantly" declined, but teachers have remained on mass industrial action, the Department of Public Service and Administration said on Thursday.
Strike figures rose in Wednesday's intensified labour action but there had been "a steady decline in numbers all week", said spokesperson Lewis Rabkin.
On Wednesday, 408 736 workers took strike action with 91% being educators.
The day's level of total employee absenteeism was 34% with 1.6% of central government employees absent, Rabkin said.
Striking health workers numbered 19 000 with 7 000 absent in KwaZulu-Natal and 6 200 in Gauteng.
Rabkin said figures on Tuesday had indicated 22 000 workers on strike, but that 90% of 350 000 teachers [roughly 310 000] were absent.
The first day of industrial action, on June 1, saw 467 000 workers not at work.
Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi on Thursday welcomed the return of "tens of thousands of public servants" to work.
She also commended Wednesday's marchers for responsible behaviour while exercising their right to such action.
Closer to clinching a deal
A proposal by a meditating team at the bargaining council was worthy of serious consideration, she said.
"We recognise, as the mediators have pointed out, that any proposal in the mediation process requires flexibility from both parties and will not be entirely to the liking of either party."
Labour was once again called upon to take the proposal "in full" to members.
"We call on all government employees to study the proposals before us, to return to work while negotiations continue in the bargaining council."
Public service negotiators unexpectedly asked to meet government negotiators in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council late on Thursday afternoon.
Talks resumed at 17.30 instead of a scheduled meeting on Friday.
Government and union negotiators moved closer to clinching a deal in the wage talks early on Wednesday morning.
A document containing a full proposal on a wage increase package for public servants was drawn up using the mediators' proposal of a 7.25% pay increase.
This came after government negotiators indicated that the government would increase its offer - to 7.25% from 6.5% - as suggested by the mediators.
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