SALARY INCREMENT FOR UNIFORMED MEMBERS

The Department of Defence (DOD) is committed to give salary increases to its members, both uniformed and non-uniformed.

The PSAP’s received an increment on 1 July 2005. However, regarding a salary increment for the uniformed members for FY2005/2006, the DOD raised the issue in the Military Bargaining Council (MBC) meeting on 5-15 July 2005.

SANDU responded that the issue could not be raised during this meeting, and that a special meeting must be held on 20 July 2005, whereby the parties would exchange information with regards to salary negotiations.

Although the DOD negotiating team felt that this would further delay the process of FY2005/06 negotiations, the DOD gave its consent.

On 13 July 2005 in preparation for the 20 July meeting the DOD, in line with the MBC constitution (Section 21 a-c) submitted its FY2005/06 offer of 4, 6%. This was submitted to both the union (SANDU) and MBC secretariat. The union stated that unless the wage gap between the SAPS and the SANDF is closed they won’t agree to the negotiations.

They demonstrated this by not submitting their salary demands for FY2005/06. The DOD is yet to receive its salary demands for this year. The wage gap was also part of their outstanding demands for FY 2004/05.

The DOD saw this as a delaying tactic for effecting salary increases for its members. As much as the DOD wants to entertain the wage gap closure issue, the Department’s view was that this should be given to a sub-committee to investigate and benchmark how this wage gap could be closed.

By setting up a sub-committee it would also provide the MBC the opportunity to look into the salary issue and other urgent matters as the wage gap closure is a drawn-out process and not something the MBC can decide on overnight.

The Department’s commitment to this wage gap closure was stated in a letter signed by the Secretary for Defence on 18 July 2005.

SANDU rejected this offer and the DOD was left with no option but to declare a dispute in the MBC.

The MBC was unable to resolve the issue and a certificate of outcome was issued.

This matter was referred to the Military Arbitration Board (MAB) for a decision. Consequently the DOD is waiting for the arbitration date to finalize this matter.

Enquiries: Dir HR Policy Management, Ms Thulisiwe Manzini, tel (012) 355 5688