This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) says it will encourage its member unions that represent 1.9 million workers ranging from teachers to miners to balance wage demands with the need to preserve jobs when salary negotiations in their industries begin.
Cosatu general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told Bloomberg media he does not want to see a situation where workers get an increase and thereafter people are retrenched and only a few remain to enjoy the benefits of that particular increase.
Cosatu member unions this year will be involved in pay negotiations for platinum miners at companies including Anglo American Platinum as well as for teachers and health workers.
The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union, an affiliate of Cosatu, began talks last week and the Food and Allied Workers unions plan to conclude discussions with companies including SABMiller in July.
Ntshalintshali said Cosatu would advise pushing for above-inflation increases for lower-paid workers, while better-paid employees could settle for wage increases that are in line with inflation, which was 6.1% in May.
