230 000 STRONG PSA - AFFILIATES WITH FEDUSA

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes the 96-year old Public Servants Association (PSA), representing more than 230 000 public servants across all government departments, as our biggest new Affiliate. It gives me great pleasure to announce that as the largest, politically non-aligned trade union federation in South Africa, FEDUSA’S National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the formal affiliation application of the PSA.

 

As FEDUSA, we are also celebrating our 20-year anniversary, since embarking on the bold journey back in 1997, to embrace a politically independent ideology, amidst much cynicism at the time, in which all our members are free to join any political party of their choice, without fear of victimisation. Standing the test of time, FEDUSA’s independent ideology has become so relevant today, in responding to and addressing the political and economic instabilities, whilst reassuring and safeguarding the interest of our members, that are truly reminiscent of a rainbow federation, in our beloved rainbow nation. With the arrival of the PSA, FEDUSA has now grown to a big family with more than 700 000 non-partisanship members, which is committed the basic values and principles, governing professional public administration in terms of our Constitution:

 

FEDUSA and the PSA supports the notion that our public administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, including but not limited to the following:

 

  1. A high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained, especially amongst senior public office bearers
  2. Efficient, economic and effective use of resources must be promoted.
  3. Public administration, at all spheres, must be development-oriented.
  4. Services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias.
  5. People’s needs must be responded to, and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy-making.
  6. Public administration, at all spheres, must be accountable.
  7. Providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information to foster transparency.
  8. Good human-resource and relations management and career-development practices, to maximise human potential, must be cultivated.
  9. Public administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness, and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation.

 

Non-partisanship is an essential element of both a professional public administration and responsible democratic government. A non-partisan public service is one where appointments are based on merit, free of political influence and where public servants perform their duties, and are seen to perform their duties, in a politically impartial manner.

 

FEDUSA will organise extensive training and education sessions for PSA members in the provinces in which they reside and lobby government through NEDLAC to develop and implement labour policies that promote and protect the interests of workers. The President of the PSA, Rashied Daniels will chair the FEDUSA Public Service Committee (PSC) to improve the conditions of service for public service employees and will monitor the salary implementation for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 based on the average projected CPI of 6.3% and 1%. PSA members will loyally implement the lawful policies of the government of the day and will not favour any person. 

 

As an affiliate of FEDUSA, the PSA will be regularly invited to participate in the discussion of substantive matters such as the formulation of common policy positions with other affiliates on issues such as members training and education, political participation, NEDLAC representation, engagements with National Treasury, social justice and domestic and international travel, among others through the FEDUSA National Executive Council (NEC), our governing body between National Congresses. International engagements will include meetings with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the BRICS Trade Union Forum (BTUF), and involve in the South Africa Development Community and the African Union. As FEDUSA Vice President, Rashied Daniels will lead the work of FEDUSA to strengthen the voice of public servants and also unite the independent trade unions in the public service. 

 

The PSA as the largest affiliate in FEDUSA will help develop and review policies of FEDUSA to strengthen the achievement of higher inclusive economic growth and employment creation and reinforcement of the federation approach to the National Minimum Wage, the Employment Tax Incentive Scheme, the e-Tolls and the regulation of Labour Brokers. The PSA will also be part of our campaign to engage with rating agencies – Standards and Poor, Moody’s and Fitch to restore the investment status of the country.

 

The engagements with ratings agencies have placed FEDUSA in an ideal position to respond to the credibility of the macroeconomic framework of government, the integrity of state institutions, the political environment and the economic growth prospects of South Africa. These assessments are captured in sovereign credit ratings. Standards and Poor, Moody’s and Fitch are concerned with the low economic growth rates, political risk, policy uncertainty, and the weak balance sheets of state-owned companies.

 

Inclusivity and economic growth has steadily weakened over the past five years, as a result of low growth, state capture, corruption and weak political leadership by President Zuma. Confidence and trust have deteriorated as a result of the appointment of four finance ministers since 9 December 2015 and the downgrade to sub-investment grade (junk). Moreover, substantial revenue under collection in 2016/17 has imposed sharper limits on public spending. The low growth rate will not be sufficient to markedly reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality. It is important to stabilise the increased debt of R2.7 trillion of Government, while the social partner leaders work together to build confidence in the economy and narrow the budget deficit.

 

FEDUSA is the largest politically non-aligned trade union federation in South Africa and represents a diverse membership from a variety of sectors in industry. 

 

See www.fedusa.org.za for more information.

 

For interviews:

 

Dennis George

FEDUSA General Secretary

084 805 1529