31 March 2023

• Government and the majority of Trade Unions in Council agree on a multi-term agreement for the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
• An average increase of 7.5% salary adjustment for public servants for the financial year 2023/2024.
• A capped Projected CPI salary increase for the financial year 2024/2025.
• Expediting the decisions on the implementation of the GEHS as agreed to during the Public Service Summit

The Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) is pleased to announce that Government and majority unions have reached an agreement on the payment of a salary adjustment for employees employed in the public service for the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

The majority of trade unions who signed the agreement are HOSPERSA, NAPTOSA, PSA, and SADTU. Together these unions form a 53,9% majority in favour of the agreement. NEHAWU, POPCRU, DENOSA and SAPU, opted not to sign the agreement as per the mandate given by their members.

The parties to the Council commenced the wage negotiations on 17 February 2023 at the PSCBC and the signing of this agreement today, 31 March 2023 marks the conclusion of the wage negotiations.

In an attempt to bring the salaries of public servants in line with the market, parties agreed to a two-year multi-term agreement. For the financial year 2023/2024, the employer shall pay employees on salary levels 1 – 12 including those remunerated in terms of an OSD in the Public Service an average increase of 7.5%.

For the financial year 2024/2025, the employer shall pay employees on salary levels 1 – 12 including those remunerated in terms of an OSD in the Public Service a pensionable salary increase of a capped Projected CPI between 4,5% and 6.5%. This means that in the event that the Projected CPI percentage for 2024/2025 is less than 4.5%, the Projected CPI for the relevant period will be deemed to be 4.5% and, in the event, the Projected CPI for the relevant period is above 6.5%, the Projected CPI will be deemed to be 6.5%.

Parties also agreed that the employer shall process the payment of the pay progression to all qualifying employees in the public service in line with the applicable sectoral agreement.

On Government Employee Housing Scheme (GEHS), parties agreed to expedite the decisions on the implementation of the GEHS as agreed to during the Public Service Summit and these are entrenched in PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2022.

The PSCBC applauds parties to  Council for their commitment to the wage negotiation process, which resulted in the signing of the agreement before the commencement of the new financial year. The signing of the multi-term agreement allows for some stability to focus on implementing various PSCBC agreements, including the Public Sector Summit agreement. 

Issued by: Frikkie De Bruin - PSCBC General Secretary
Media Enquiries: Oomang Parag - 0823191198 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[ pdf Download the Press Release (141 KB) ]

22 March 2023

The South African Democratic Teachers ’Union ( an affiliate of COSATU, together with the unions affiliated to the Federation of Unions of South Africa ( namely NAPTOSA, PSA, HOSPERSA and SAOU, driven by the mandate from members, have since the 17th of February 2023 engaged in wage negotiations for 2023/24 at the Public Service Co ordinating Bargaining Council. Together, these unions form a 53,9% majority in the Council.

[ pdf Download full Media Statement (215 KB) ]

13 March 2023

• Public Sector Dispute Settled: Parties out on strike regarding the 2022/2023 wage negotiations have settled their dispute.
• Unions that were outside of the bargaining process will return to the 2023/2024 wage negotiations table.
• Settlement allows for infusing of residual matters into current wage negotiations. Negotiations will not be delayed.
• Trade unions will return to Council allowing processes to operate at full capacity
• The PSCBC appreciates for the continuous support from parties to Council in defending collective bargaining.

The PSCBC has noted the ongoing strike action by NEHAWU, initiated on the 6th March 2023 and the effect that this has had on service delivery across the country. This industrial action emanates from the outstanding dispute regarding the implementation of the previous leg 2022/2023 cost of living adjustment (COLA), on the part of the employer. A facilitation process was initiated on the 9th March 2023, as a means of breaking the impasse between parties. The state as the employer together with the Trade Unions NEHAWU joined by POPCRU, DENOSA & SAPU deliberated on chartering a way forward. The robust discussions and engagements continued through the weekend and culminated in a settlement agreement for the facilitation process.

The key elements of the agreement include:

• Cessation of hostilities between parties following the end of the strike action;
• Implementation of a “no work, no pay” deductions;
• Orderly return to work for employees on strike over a 24 hour period of signing of the agreement;
• Tabling of any residual and substantial matters emanating from the 2022/2023 wage dispute COLA by Labour. These will be dealt with and concluded as part of the 2023/2024 wage negotiations
• Conclusion of a minimum service level agreement by both the Employer and Trade Unions within 6 months of conclusion of the 2023/2024 wage negotiations
• Expedition of the implementation of the Government Employee Housing Scheme (GEHS)

This agreement serves as the conclusion of the dispute between parties and initiates the return of the Trade Unions to Council.

We as the PSCBC are elated that Parties could engage in constructive collective bargaining processes and find mutual ground in concluding an agreement. We are pleased that parties engaged in good faith negotiations that benefit both employees and employers, and foster a positive working relationship. As we welcome back parties to the Council, we would like to express our appreciation to the majority of trade unions and the employer that have continued to ensure the functionality of Council during this time.

Issued: General Secretary PSCBC, Frikkie De Bruin
Media enquiries: Oomang Parag, Manager: Communications, 0823191198, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[ pdf Download Media Release (106 KB) ]

[ Thursday November 17, 2022 ]

The trade unions organising in the Public Service affiliated to COSATU, FEDUSA and SAFTU have called this media briefing to update our members and the public in general about the collapsed public service wage negotiations and further outline the wayforward and our concrete program of action.

As a collective of public service unions represented at the PSCBC which is the biggest bargaining council in the country carrying the hopes and aspirations of public servants, we could not stand by and watch as the government erodes collective bargaining and the rights of workers. We observed with utter disdain as the employer made jokes about how government has assisted -“sibazamile”- public servants with the paltry 3 per cent offer made.

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