NEHAWU Notes The Labour Court Ruling On The Contempt Of Court Case Against DPSA
Friday February 21, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] notes the Labour Court ruling in our application for the court to declare a final order holding the Minister of Public Service and Administration in contempt of court for failure to implement the PSCBC settlement agreement of our Public Service Strike.
This is the settlement agreement that came as a result of the strike action by the national union in 2023 after the DPSA unilaterally implemented a 3% increment which was way below the CPI
The union approached the Labour Court after the Department of Public Service and Administration [DPSA] on behalf of government failed to adhere to the Labour Court judgement that had declared the settlement agreement concluded at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council in 2023, binding and enforceable.
Our contention was that the DPSA and its allies in the council refused to entertain the settlement agreement which was directing the employer to augment the 3% they forced down the throats of the public servants. The employer maintained that they have augmented 2022 agreement through the 2023 PSCBC resolution agreed on by the majority of the parties.
The matter was heard in the Labour Court on the 31st January 2025, wherein the Labour Court after hearing both arguments has reserved judgement.
The court handed down judgement on the 20th February 2025. In its judgement, the Labour Court ruled that the DPSA had complied with the court order enforcing the settlement agreement.
We are currently reading the judgement and will consult our legal team on a suitable legal recourse. We reiterate that the union will continue do everything at its disposal to enforce the implementation of settlement agreement of the public service strike. We remain resolute to defend to collective bargaining and the hard-won gains of workers.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat Office
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za
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