NATIONAL NEWS - A national strike by public servants is starting today, Thursday 10 November, in most of SA's major cities. Picketing has continued at several facilities in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town since Monday this week. 

But the strike may not have a major effect on service delivery, as many in the public sector will not be taking part. 

Teachers have already accepted the government's offer and thousands of essential service workers will also not be allowed to strike.

Yesterday, at the time of going to press, it was unclear if local public servants would be joining the mass strike.

EWN kept the Twitter feeds alive with regular updates on the looming strike as public sector workers are locked in a bitter battle with government. 

The Public Service Association (PSA) is demanding a 6,5% increase while the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) affiliates want a 10% increase.

Government is not willing to exceed its offer of 3%. EWN journalist Nokukhanya Mntambo reported on Monday that PSA spokesperson Claude Naicker said accepting the government's lower offer will set a dangerous precedent. 

"There's no use negotiating, this will set the tone for future negotiations in the public sector as well as the rest of the country but, as I said, we are in full blown mode."

But, Efficient Group economist Dawie Roodt has repeatedly warned that the high public sector wage bill is not sustainable and placing an unbearable burden on South Africa. The public sector wage bill comprises nearly 50% of government spend.

The Department of Public Service and Administration issued a statement yesterday shortly before noon, saying it has noted social media reports that the PSA would be embarking on a national march on 10 November. 

"The department has put measures in place to mitigate the impact of such an action by the PSA, including concluding the Picketing Rules that state that picketing shall only take place during lunch hour or tea breaks outside the premises of the employer. 

All provisions related to the management of employees participating in the protected strike shall apply.

The state as the employer calls upon the trade unions to return to the bargaining chambers to start negotiations for the 2023/24 financial year in order to conclude the process before the minister of finance tables the final budget in February 2023," the statement reads.

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