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PSCBC celebrates its 25th anniversary
PSCBC celebrates its 25th anniversary
By Frikkie De Bruin- PSCBC General Secretary
With the attainment of democracy in 1994, there were many significant changes that were ushered into the labour market arena and the Public Service.
This democracy brought forth the establishment of the PSCBC, an independent organisation tasked with providing a platform for the State, as the Employer, and the admitted Public Service Unions, as Social Partners, to engage constructively over matters of mutual interest.
The emergence of the PSCBC was pivotal as it created a culture of social dialogue that was necessary to negotiate the transformation of the Public Service. This undertaking formed an integral part of our country's challenge, which forms part of the process of the transition towards democracy. The PSCBC was established on the 13th of October 1997, in terms of Section 35 of the LRA and therefore celebrates its milestone 25th Anniversary this year. The vision remains: to advance and influence change in the labour market environment and our mission is to promote sound labour relations through collective bargaining and dispute management both locally and internationally.
As per Section 37 of the LRA, the Council has a legislative mandate to deal with matters that:
(a) are governed by uniform rules, norms, and standards that apply throughout the public sector;
(b) apply to terms and conditions that cover two or more industries; and
(c) are assigned to the State as Employer in the Public Service but are not assigned to the State as Employer in any other sector.
During the reconstruction of the Public Service, the council played an integral part in renegotiating and restructuring macro benefits that have been unwarranted in achieving equity and fairness within the Public Service. The PSCBC tackled these challenges headon by laying down the foundation of a culture of engagement and dialogue that were previously foreign concepts to the Public Service and between the parties.
The PSCBC has been at the forefront and remained true to its mandate for the past twenty-five years, in protecting and advancing democratisation of the workplace, strengthening collective bargaining, enhancing dispute management, promoting good governance, and embracing the future of work to ensure economic development, social justice and labour peace within the public service.
In implementing its constitutional mandate, the Council was able to harmonise the relations between parties to the council, establish formal structures for collective bargaining – both centrally and sectorally and provide effective dispute resolution procedures. Through its mature co-ordinating capabilities, the Council was also able to sign significant myriad of collective agreements on conditions of service (pensions, medical aid, housing, allowances, grievance, and disciplinary procedures, training, and development issues) and socio-economic issues such as job creation and health issues (HIV/AIDS).
The PSCBC, in its 25 years of existence, has remarkably grown to be one of the largest Bargaining Councils in the world and has positioned itself globally as a benchmark for many countries. As part of the Council's 25th Anniversary celebrations, from the 28th – 31st of March 2022 held a successful Public Service Summit and matters that emanate from the summit will culminate in nationwide roundtable discussions within the various provinces.
The PSCBC would like to use this opportunity to thank our Parties to the Council and the various stakeholders for standing steadfast over the years, for championing the cause of the fight for workers’ rights and making the Council a force to be reckoned with. •
CONTACT
Address: Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council Building B & D, 260 Basden Avenue Lyttelton 0176
Tel Int: +27(0)12 644 8100 Tel Local: 012 644 8100
Email: info@pscbc.org.zaWeb: www.pscbc.co.za
