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Library staff in Nelson Mandela Bay were given a four-notch pay hike last month to accommodate the regrading that had not taken place since 1990, according to a report submitted to the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Cultural Services Committee.
The increase was given following two periods of industrial action in June and July when staff closed the metro’s libraries.
The report explains that when Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch were amalgamated the conditions of service of staff "were never merged."
In addition, it states, the issue of overtime pay also became a bone of contention as some staff contracts provided for a five-day working week and others six days. Those whose contracts stipulated a five-day work-ing week were compensated for the additional day they worked.
The report says the matter can only finally be resolved when the conditions of service of all staff are finally "harmonised" by the Corporate Services Directorate.
The report on the libraries points out that despite the fact that libraries are a provincial competence, the metro contributes R38 million a year while the grant from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is only R3.7 million a year.
It adds that there have been repeated requests to National Treasury for the funds to be transferred directly to the municipality and legislation has been drafted on this and is currently being costed.
Until then the quantum of the grant will be decided by province.
(Source: Metrominute - to susbscribe mail metminutes@iafrica.com)
