HOSPERSA SECURES 4,5% SALARY INCREASE AT NETCARE
HOSPERSA SECURES 4,5% SALARY INCREASE AT NETCARE
09 June 2021
Hospersa, which is the majority Union at Netcare, has managed to secure an across the board (ATB) salary increase for its members by way of a compulsory arbitration. The award follows months of negotiations which led the Union to declare a dispute at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) against the private health care group. While other Unions had already accepted a lesser offer, Hospersa members at Netcare will receive a 4,5% ATB salary increase which will be backdated to 1 March 2021. The Union has vowed to continue fighting for fair remuneration and incentives for its members working for the hospital giant, especially now as they continue to stand on the front line of COVID-19 pandemic.
On 3 June 2021, Hospersa received an arbitration award from the CCMA declaring that the Union’s members at Netcare must receive a 4,5% ATB salary increase backdated to 1 March 2021. The Union had referred the matter to the CCMA for compulsory arbitration following a deadlock in wage negotiations which started on 19 January 2021. Hospersa was demanding a 6% ATB salary increase while the employer was only offering a 4,1% salary increase which was accepted by three other unions. Over and above the salary increase, the medical aid allowances will increase by 2,9% and the nursing allowance will increase by 0,25%. Hospersa has welcomed the award citing that its members have been standing on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic and deserve to be recognised for their bravery. The Union has assured its members that it remains committed to fighting for improved remuneration and working conditions.
“Hospersa welcomes the arbitration award issued by the CCMA,” said Hospersa General Secretary Noel Desfontaines. “It has always been our argument that Netcare can afford to pay its staff members a better salary increase than what was accepted by other unions. We are pleased that our fight has yielded positive results for our members and exposed Netcare’s policy of profit over employee wellbeing,” added Desfontaines.
“Our members have been working under immense pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and deserve even more than what has been awarded,” argued Desfontaines. “Hospersa remains committed in fighting for improved working conditions and better remuneration at Netcare. It is our duty to ensure that employers fully appreciate the critical work done by these frontline workers especially now as the country continues its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” concluded Desfontaines.
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