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The unions wanted the old committee to negotiate for the next three months while they put their house in order.
Minister of Public Service, Lucia Matibenga said according to the Public Service Act, the other option was for the civil servants to reappoint the old Apex Council for the next two years instead of three months.
In an interview on Friday, Mrs Alexander said PSA had not received a formal invitation from the Apex Council, but was prepared to meet them for the sake of progress.
“We have not received a formal invitation from the other group, but we are prepared to meet them on Tuesday although they told the media that we will meet on Monday. I wonder why they were still buying time yet this is a constitutional issue that needs to be solved once and for all,” said Mrs Alexander.
“PSA covers all ministries and should be part of the negotiating team. We are a mature organisation and we will not hesitate to attend a meeting that will present a way forward for the civil servants. We have been in the negotiating structures since 1983 and we will do everything in our strength to negotiate for better salaries for civil servants.”
Mrs Alexander said the PSA expected the meeting to put in place a deserving council that would be accepted by both parties.
“As PSA, we look forward to putting processes in place that will come up with a negotiating council that will be accepted by both parties.
“We must make sure that the parties select deserving individuals, who will do their work in the best interest of the civil servants.
“We also hope that civil servants will also come up with their own federation so that we are at the same level. PSA cannot do without the education sector and they also cannot do without us,” said Mrs Alexander.
Mr Dzatsunga on Wednesday last week said the Apex Council was ready to put its house in order and was happy that Minister Matibenga addressed them and promised to soon make an announcement on civil servants’ salaries.
There have been no meaningful negotiations for the past 11 months due to squabbles among the civil servants’ unions.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti had promised civil servants a five percent inflation related increment this month, which, however, has not been effected.
Online Reporter