What’s happening with wage negotiations in the private security industry

SASA UPDATE What’s happening with wage negotiations in the private security industry.

After exchanging documents and clarity-seeking processes, wage negotiations started in earnest on 22 August 2019, according to Tony Botes, National Administrator of SASA (Security Association of South Africa).

The negotiations are taking place under the auspices of the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) and in terms of the National Negotiation Protocol Agreement of the NBCPSS.

The National Negotiation Protocol Agreement, which was concluded in July 2019, established the Council Bargaining Forum for the purposes of collective bargaining and putting in place the rules of engagement for negotiations. This agreement followed on the conclusion of the Council Levies Agreement which will, if and when extended to non-parties, enable the NBCPSS to become properly financed and fully operational.

Negotiations in the private security sector in the past took place under the auspices of the National Bargaining Forum for the Private Security Sector (NBFPSS) in line with the Negotiation Framework Agreement (NFA).

The last negotiations under the auspices of the NBFPSS resulted in a one-year agreement which formed the basis for the last Sectoral Determination amendment which came into effect in November 2018.

As it stands, Sectoral Determination 6 is still in full force and effect, says Mr Botes, and will remain so until it a collective agreement of the NBCPSS comes into effect and makes it obsolete.

The negotiation parties are still very far apart however, he points out, and with a very long list of demands on the table, it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached quickly. The actual timing of when an increase for the industry will become effective is therefore very difficult to predict.

Dates for the next rounds of negotiations have been agreed upon and updates will be provided as and when anything substantial occurs in the negotiations.

Warning of the fake information that is doing the rounds on social media, Mr Botes urges industry stakeholders not to give such messages credibility by sharing or spreading them, or being influenced by them.