SALARY INCREMENT IMPLEMENTATION FOR DEFENCE ACT PERSONNEL

The Minister of Defence, after seriously considering the procedures followed by the Department of Defence regarding a salary increment for levels 1 to 10 of uniformed members for FY 2005/2006 has come to the conclusion that an intervention is necessary.

He further noted that the DOD had presented salary proposals for levels 1 to 10 in the Military Bargaining Council (MBC) meeting on 5 July 2005 for negotiations.

To date labour as represented by SANDU has failed to present its counter- proposal and/or any salary proposals/demands.

The Department of Defence (DOD) as employer has been unsuccessful in its attempt to reach an agreement with organised labour as represented by SANDU in the Military Bargaining Council (MBC) on the annual salary adjustment for salary levels 1 to 10.

A dispute was declared in terms of section 20 (d) of the MBC constitution on 22 July 2005 and the matter was discussed on 26 July 2005.

The parties failed to reach an amicable settlement. As a result, the Chairperson of the Military Bargaining Council (MBC) issued a Certificate of Dispute dated 16 August 2005.

The matter was referred for arbitration to the Military Arbitration Board (MAB) on 22 August 2005, in terms of Regulation 72 read with Regulation 75 of Chapter XX of the General Regulations of the Defence Act 42 of 2002 as amended.

To date the Military Arbitration Board has not been able to set up a date to hear the matter. As a result, it has come to the notice of the Minister of Defence that Defence Act Personnel, especially the lower ranks, have suffered serious and irreparable damage as many of them find it hard to cope with the rising cost of living.

The situation has been made more serious by the fact that all other Government employees on levels 1 to 10 have received a 4.6% annual salary adjustment, implemented with effect from 1 July 2005.

The Minister of Defence, having noted the numerous difficulties of Defence Act personnel (DAP), resolved to take the following measures to alleviate these problems of DAP:

a. levels 1 to 10

(1) Immediate interim implementation of a 4.6% salary adjustment for levels 1 to 10.

(2) The implementation will be backdated with effect from 1 July 2005.

(3) The Department of Defence undertakes to pay the backdated amounts on 21 October 2005. The updated salary advices will be incorporated in the November 2005 salary payment.

(4) The interim annual salary increase applies to personnel appointed in terms of the Defence Act 42 of 2002 who were in service on 1 July 2005 or appointed thereafter.


(5) Any enquiries in this regard should be directed via the normal channels of command and may be directed to Ms C. Meintjies at tel no (012) 355 5294 or Ms R de Wit at tel no (012) 355 5316.

Prepared by Military Labour Relations (Maj N.V. Mdlalose) at (012) 355-6497.