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The Apex Council led by Mr David Dzatsunga, last week chose nine substantive negotiators from different civil servants’ unions and handed over the list of names to the Government for endorsement.
The Government, however, rejected the list on Monday and advised the civil servants’ unions to resolve their differences and agree on who will represent them in salary negotiations.
Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa argued that the Public Service Association (PSA), led by Mrs Cecilia Alexander was not present during the selection of negotiators last week and that this rendered the list of negotiators unconstitutional.
In an interview on Wednesday, Apex Council president Mr Dzatsunga said they were not impressed by the Government’s decision.
He, however, said they had not received official communication from the ministry.
“We are yet to receive official communication from the Government, but if that is the case, then maybe the Public Service Ministry should pick the people that they want to represent the Apex Council.
“It is clear that they have their own list of negotiators,” said Mr Dzatsunga.
“We selected the negotiators last week in the absence PSA, but the association had sent its own list with the same negotiators that we included in the final list.
“We did not see anything wrong with the list because all the unions were represented and we were ready for the salary negotiations,” said Mr Dzatsunga.
He said the Apex Council would soon discuss the way forward.
There have been no salary negotiations for the past 12 months due to squabbles among the civil servants’ unions.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter