The salary increase for the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) members has been a hot topic due to recent disputes and strikes.
In 2024, the situation surrounding wage increases remains uncertain as negotiations between the union and the government are ongoing. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation.
Nehawu Salary Increase 2024
Earlier this year, NEHAWU went on strike due to unresolved wage disputes with the government.
The South African government proposed a salary increase for the 2024/2025 financial year, but NEHAWU did not sign the agreement, unlike several other unions.
NEHAWU’s decision not to sign stems from a desire to first resolve the ongoing dispute over previous wage increases before moving forward with any new agreements.
Will Nehawu Salaries Increase in 2024?
As of now, NEHAWU has not officially agreed to a salary increase for 2024. The union is pushing to resolve issues from the 2022/2024 wage dispute, where they felt the wage increase was insufficient, particularly the 3% increase that fell below the inflation rate.
Until this dispute is settled, NEHAWU has stated it will not engage in discussions about the 2024/2025 wage increase.
Despite this, other unions have agreed to a 7.5% average salary increase for the 2024/2025 financial year. These negotiations began in February 2024 and were concluded by the end of March 2024, but NEHAWU and other unions like POPCRU, DENOSA, and SAPU held off signing the deal.
NEHAWU’s Reason for Holding Out
NEHAWU refused to sign the 2024 salary increase agreement due to unresolved issues from prior wage agreements. In the previous wage round (2022/2024), NEHAWU criticized the 3% wage increase as inadequate, especially since it was below the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
In addition, they argued that converting a R1000 cash gratuity into a 4.2% baseline increase would primarily benefit higher-income workers, leaving low-wage earners behind.
The union’s stance is clear: they want the 2022/2024 wage dispute resolved before moving forward with any new agreements.
Government’s Offer and NEHAWU’s Response
The government initially offered a 4.7% wage increase, which NEHAWU rejected. According to the union, this offer only amounted to a 0.5% increase once the 4.2% cash gratuity was converted to a baseline pensionable amount, further disadvantaging lower-wage workers.
In response, NEHAWU intensified its strike, which took place in March 2024. After several meetings with the employer, the government maintained its position and urged NEHAWU to resume negotiations for the 2024/2025 financial year. NEHAWU, however, remained firm on first resolving the previous year’s wage issues.
Recent Developments
On August 3, 2024, NEHAWU signed an agreement securing a 7% increase for workers in the South African Associations of Water Utilities, indicating their willingness to negotiate within other sectors.
However, for public sector workers, the wage dispute is still ongoing, and a final decision for the 2024 salary increase has yet to be reached.
What Is NEHAWU?
NEHAWU, established in 1987, is one of South Africa’s largest trade unions, representing workers from sectors such as health, education, social welfare, and government services.
The union is affiliated with COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) and plays a key role in advocating for fair labor practices and wage increases for public sector employees.
NEHAWU Leadership
The union is led by Mike Shingange (President) and Nyameka Macanda (First Deputy President). Headquartered in Johannesburg, NEHAWU has been a vocal advocate for workers’ rights, regularly negotiating wages and labor conditions with the government.
Whether NEHAWU will agree to a salary increase for 2024 remains uncertain, as the union continues to push for the resolution of previous wage disputes before signing any new agreements.
Other unions have accepted a 7.5% salary increase for 2024/2025, but NEHAWU’s refusal to sign indicates that ongoing negotiations will determine if and when their members will see an increase.
For further updates and to track the progress of negotiations, visit NEHAWU’s official website or the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) website.
FAQs
Will NEHAWU sign the 2024 salary increase agreement?
NEHAWU has not yet signed the 2024 salary increase agreement, as they want to resolve previous wage disputes first.
What was the government’s offer for the 2024 wage increase?
The government offered a 7.5% increase for the 2024/2025 financial year, but NEHAWU has yet to agree to it.
Why did NEHAWU reject the 2022/2024 wage increase?
NEHAWU rejected the 3% increase from the 2022/2024 wage round, claiming it was below the inflation rate and unfair for lower-income workers.
Did other unions sign the 2024 wage agreement?
Yes, several unions signed the 2024 wage agreement, accepting the 7.5% salary increase offer from the government.
What is NEHAWU’s role in the South African labor movement?
NEHAWU is a major trade union representing workers in health, education, and government sectors, fighting for better wages and working conditions.
