Labour unions in the private security industry have rejected employers’ latest wage offer and are set to declare a dispute with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

The nine unions with seats in the national bargaining council met with employers on 1 and 2 October for a compulsory mediation process as per the industry protocol on negotiations.

Employers had previously offered a 1.1% wage hike, which unions rejected outright because in real terms it translated to 23c per hour for Grade C officers – who are the lowest paid category.

Yesterday employers put 5% on the table but it was also rejected because unions were adamant from the beginning they would accept nothing less than a salary adjustment to R7 500 for Grade C officers, R8 000 for Grade B and R8500 for Grade A officers. Currently security officers are paid R4 377, R4 981 and R5 558 respectively.

No offer was put on the table with respect to benefits like hospital cover, which labour had demanded employers introduce and contribute 60% towards.

Unions will now declare a mutual interest dispute with the CCMA, after which the commission will attempt to bring the parties together. If that process also fails, unions will be issued with a certificate to take workers on strike.

The following unions have seats in the bargaining council:

1.    Abanqobi

2.    DUSWO

3.    DETAWU

4.    KAWU

5.    NASUWU

6.    PTAWU

7.    SAAIWU

8.    SANSAWF

9.    SATAWU

For more information contact:

DETAWU General Secretary, Vusi Ntshangase, 083 536 0547, 011 338 9077/8, vusi@detawu.org.za

KAWU National Coordinator, Robert Dube, 071 740 7394, Robert@kawu.co.za

SATAWU Media Officer, Zanele Sabela, 079 287 5788, 011 403 2077, Zanele@satawu.org.za