SARS strike shuts down Richards Bay branch
The local branch was among many branches in the country whose services were interrupted on Thursday and Friday because of a wage dispute
THE South African Revenue Service (SARS) branch in Richards Bay was closed for two days last week owing to a nationwide strike.
The local branch was among many branches in the country whose services were interrupted on Thursday and Friday because of a wage dispute.
This despite the revenue service’s contingency plans to ensure operations continued as normal.
Workers affiliated to National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and the Public Servants Association (PSA) downed tools last week following failed negotiations.
Employees are demanding, among others, a salary increment of 11, 4%, compensation for employees for recognised improved qualifications (1% increase) as well as 10% bonus.
They are also calling for the performance bonus policy to be reviewed and finalised.
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‘The negotiations started in November and parties could not reach an agreement.
‘A certificate of non-resolution was subsequently issued after the CCMA failed,’ said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
He added that the Minister of Finance must provide for an adequate budget at SARS ‘instead of continuously bailing out non-performing State Owned Enterprises’.
NEHAWU said it will not settle for anything less and ‘shall wage a relentless war on behalf of its members until all their demands are fully met by SARS’.
‘It cannot be that its workers on the ground must suffer when they demand decent wages and senior management continue enjoying benefits that they currently have,’ the union said.
The revenue service has tabled a 8% offer, conditional to it being a multi-term agreement for implementation on 1 April 2019.
‘This offer to settle included agreement on an 8% increase in year 1 aligned to the CCMA proposal, with Consumer Price Index plus 1% increases for year 2 and 3 of the agreement.
‘SARS can only negotiate within its financial affordability which is influenced by, among other factors, the economic growth, resultant revenue collection and its reduced financial grant allocation from the National Treasury,’ SARS said.
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