NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 2016

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN This bulletin serves as an update on the activities taking place in the Social Development Sector, covering the outcomes of the NEHAWU Public Social Development national meeting that was held on 28-29 June 2016, progress on collective bargaining issues and policy issues for consultation in the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC), and other matters of national interest. The bulletin should serve as a base for discussions and mandate seeking purposes during branch, regional and provincial meetings. Organising issues (a) (b) (c)

Organising and service strategy Social Service Professionals forums strategy Elected national coordinators per each professional category

Collective bargaining issues include: (a) Demand on the review of OSD (b) Demand on the introduction of rural allowance (c) Dispute on re-grading for Social Auxiliary Workers (SAWs) to salary level 5 (d) Reinstatement of Danger Allowance for Social Auxiliary Workers ( previously as APOs) (e) Implementation of Accelerated Grade Progression Policy matters (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Draft Recruitment and Selection Strategy for Social Service Professions Introduction of customised PMDS tool for Social Service Professionals Regulations for Child and Youth Care Workers Professionalisation of Community Development Practitioner occupation Policy for Social Service Practitioners

National/sector interest matters • • •

Reports of maladministration at the SACSSP and alleged misconduct by the Registrar Recent media statement by the national department of absorption of graduate Social Workers and scholarship program Social Work march

On 28- 29 June 2016, the national union convened the Public Social Development Sector national meeting, held at Parktonian Hotel, Johannesburg. The meeting was attended by five delegates per province including Union officials and four coordinators per each Social Service Professional category: Social Work, Social Auxiliary Workers, Community Development Practitioners and Child and Youth Care Workers. The purpose of the meeting was to amongst other things: (a) Take stock of the activities in the sector, as far as organisational, collective bargaining and policy issues are concerned and to (b) Launch Social Service Professionals forums (election of national forum coordinators per each professional category) The meeting received a key note address by the President, comrade Mzwandile Makwayiba. In his

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN address, the President reaffirmed that NEHAWU is the home for Social Service Professionals and these cadres must reclaim their strategic space in the broader scheme of the union’s program. The President further emphasised the importance of unity and cohesion amongst Social Service Professionals and not to allow any external forces to divide them. The President further sensitized the meeting about the mushrooming of trade unions in the Social Development Sector. The intentions of these unions are to destroy NEHAWU. The President told the meeting that for the union to succeed, we must ensure that we address the issues of all social service professionals within the embodiment of the union. In his closing address, the President directed the meeting to develop a clear program of action, which must find expression throughout all Social Development branches/workplaces. In addition to the presentation of the Social Development sector report, the meeting also received presentations from the National Department of Social Development on OSD, Rural Allowance Model, PMDS tool, which covered work load management and draft Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Service Professionals. Another set of presentation was done by the South African Council for Service Professions (SACSSP) on regulations for Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs). Subsequent to robust deliberations the meeting resolved as follows: 1. Organisational issues 1.1 Organising and service strategy The meeting noted and welcomed the consistent growth of membership in the public social development sector from 10002 in 2013 to 14444. This translates to a 20% increase. Currently, NEHAWU is the majority union in the Public Social Development sector. In order to ensure continued growth and quality service to our members, the meeting resolved as follows: (a) Provinces and regions, working together with shop stewards and coordinators to update the Social Development sector landscape as part of developing and implementing the retention strategy as follows; • update the database of regional organisers responsible for social development sector, • allocate all social development branches/workplaces per region and indicate names and contact details of shopstewards; • Secure the total number of employees and membership per workplace. (b) Develop a recruitment program. (c) Develop a program for regional and provincial meetings for feedback and mandate seeking purposes. (d) Election of coordinators per social service professional category per branch, region and province. 1.2 Social Service Professionals forums strategy The national meeting adopted the Social Service professional forums strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to give effect to the resolution of the 9th National Congress to rebuild professional forums. The strategy is anchored around the following principles: (a) To recognise each social service profession/occupation (b) Establishment of Social Service Professions core groups from branch level

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN (c)

Strengthen horizontal and vertical integration

1.3 Election of national forum coordinators and alternates per each professional category The meeting anonymously and independently elected the following national forum coordinators: Category Social Workers Social Auxiliary Workers Community Development Practitioners Child and Youth Care Workers

Name of Coordinator Cde Octavia Malombo Cde Bhuti Buthelezi Comrade Moipone Jwayi

Province GP GP FS

Alternate Coordinator Cde Lesego Mosinki Cde Constance Tlali Cde Aaron Mashale

Province NW FS MP

Cde Sipho Matshitshi

EC

Cde Semenya Pitsi

LP

The meeting further resolved that the category of Assistant Community Development Practitioners (ACDPs) must be recognised and be represented in future union meetings. 2. Collective bargaining issues 2.1 Review of OSD The meeting noted with disappointment the slow progress from the employer since the union tabled the agenda on the review of OSD in the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC) on 27 August 2016. The Employer has not tabled a counter offer. More disturbing is the reaction of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) towards the plight of conditions of service of employees in the Department of Social Development, in particular Social Service Professionals. These professionals are the lowest paid in the country, compared with other professionals. It became apparent that the DPSA idolise the OSD resolution, despite tangible evidence that the dispensation is a counter strategy to the principle of recruiting and retaining Social Service Professionals in the country, as provided for in resolution 1 of 2007. The meeting also noted with concern the failure by provincial departments of Social Development to implement accelerated grade progression for qualifying employees. The meeting resolved as follows: (a) The union to declare a deadlock in the next bargaining council meeting and follow the dispute resolution mechanisms. (b) The union to make a follow up with the national department of social Development around the failure by their counterpart provincial departments to implement accelerated grade progression for qualifying employees and ensure that qualifying employees receives what is due to them. Status On 23 September 2016, the union declared a dispute on review of OSD, after the Department of Social Development failed to table a counter offer on the review of OSD. The General Secretary of the bargaining council will schedule the matter for conciliation within thirty days (30) from 23 September 2016. Should the dispute remain unresolved at conciliation, the union shall embark on a national strike. We have noted the criticism levelled against NEHAWU regarding the challenges around the OSD. Though

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN NEHAWU is not the only union in the sector which signed the resolution, we accept the challenge, as the majority union in the sector and we have been monitoring the implementation of this resolution closely, hence we have initiated the process to fight for a better dispensation. The union has started engagements with the national department of Social development on the review of OSD since March 2014. These engagements pushed the department to do a research, which resulted in them acceding that there is a need for the review of OSD. Further to that it is important to highlight the brief history of OSD that: The Department of Social Development betrayed trade unions during the negotiations process. They have never lived to the principle agreements to source more funding to pitch entry level for SWs to 8 and to introduce a customised PMDS system for the sector, which could have seen better implementation of Accelerated Grade Progression. Conciliation has been set down for the 4th of October 2016, at the bargaining council, Centurion. 2.2 Rural Allowance The meeting also noted with disappointment the absence of a counter offer from the employer since the union tabled a demand on 27 August 2015 on the introduction of rural allowance for Social Service Professionals. The meeting resolved as follows: •

The principle of declaring a deadlock to be followed.

Status On 23 September 2016, the department of social development failed to table an offer as far rural allowance is concerned. The union declared a dispute. The same process indicated under review of OSD will unfold and conciliation has been set down for the 4th of October 2016, at the bargaining council, Centurion. 2.3 Re-grading process of Social Auxiliary Workers (SAWs) to Salary Level 5 Following the refusal by the department of Social Development to grade SAWs to SL5, the union declared a dispute. The matter remained unresolved. On 01 December 2015, the union secured a certificate to go on a protected strike. We then started a process to determine the union’s readiness to embark on a national strike and it became apparent that though most of the provinces were ready, we needed to do further mobilisation. Further noting the developments around the demands on review of OSD and introduction of rural allowance, the meeting resolved as follows: • •

The union must merge the three issues in order to maximise the impact of the envisaged national strike. Provinces and regions to continue with mobilisation of members and visits all branches of Social Development.

Status The certificate is still active, hence our need to mobilise all Social Service Professionals.

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN 2.4 Reinstatement of danger allowance for Social Auxiliary Workers (formerly known as Assistant Probation Officers The meeting received reports which indicated that provincial departments of Social Development, excluding Gauteng have not yet implemented the directive from the National Department of Social Development dated 13 September 2013, to correct the omission of terminating the payment and/or failure to pay danger allowance for Social Auxiliary Workers (formerly known as Assistant Probation Officers). In terms of annexure A of resolution 1 of 2007, Assistant Probation Officers qualify for danger allowance. The meeting resolved as follows: • Provinces to engage Provincial Heads of the Department of social Development and table the matter in the Provincial Chambers to ensure the reinstatement of danger allowance for Social Auxiliary Workers (formerly known as APOs). 2.5 Implementation of Accelerated Grade Progression On 29 July 2016, the union processed an agenda item in the PHSDSBC demanding the bargaining council to establish a task team to monitor the implementation of Accelerated Grade Progression, as provided for in clause 3.3 of Resolution 1 of 2009- OSD for Social Service Professionals and Occupations. On 23 September 2016, the bargaining council resolved to establish task teams which will go down to each province to monitor the implementation of Accelerated Grade Progression. The bargaining Council further mandated its Collective Bargaining Committee to develop terms of reference for the task teams, which will include the activities to be undertaken by provincial chambers. Members will be kept abreast of the developments on this matter. 3. Policy issues 3.1 Draft Recruitment and Retention Strategy The National Department of Social Development made a presentation on the revised recruitment strategy for Social Service Professionals. The first recruitment and retention strategy was introduced in October 2009, under the then Minister Zola Sikweyiya. The previous strategy only catered for Social Workers. The draft strategy has been broadened to cover all Social Service Professionals. The draft strategy was first presented in the PHSDSBC meeting held on 06 June 2016, where the National Department of Social Development is soliciting support from organised labour. The meeting resolved as follows: • Welcomed the broader revised strategy, but further resolved that the strategy must be adopted as a policy to ensure that we hold the department of Social Development accountable, as far as implementation is concerned and have recourse in the event the department reneged on implementation. History has taught us that little has been implemented since the launch of the strategy in 2009.

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN Status On 23 September 2016, the union pronounced on its position for the strategy to be adopted as policy. The department of social development negotiators requested time to engage their principals. The matter will remain on the agenda of the bargaining council for engagement. 3.2 Introduction of customised PMDS tool for Social Service Professionals In terms of clause 3.4 of Resolution 1 of 2009, the employer was supposed to have developed a new performance management and development system for social service professions and occupations within twenty four (24) months from the date of signing the agreement. The resolution was signed on 04 June 2009, meaning that this tool was supposed to be in place by July 2011. The Employer presented the draft for the first time on 06 June 2016; hence we invited the National Department of Social Development to come and do the presentation. The draft PMDS tool is customised to recognise the uniqueness of each professional category and to assess each professional based on the work they perform. The purpose of the presentation from the National Department of Social Development was to seek support from trade unions to enable the department to pilot the draft PMDS tool for a period of six months. The following provinces were identified for the pilot project; Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and North West. Upon deliberations, the meeting resolved to support the pilot project, on condition that: 1. the department revise the document to reflect and retain the provision of the current PMDS where employees who score a minimum of 70% qualify for cash bonus; 2. the project will be coordinated through applicable provincial chambers; 3. parties in the PHSDSBC finalise the modalities of the pilot project to ensure that participants are not disadvantaged, during quarterly and final assessment; and 4. The report of the pilot project to be tabled in the PHSDSBC for discussions. On 23 September 2016, we agreed in principle for the introduction of a new customised PMDS, but parties still have to engage on the content of the draft documents. Branches should use this opportunity to engage on the document. The document can be accessed at the regional and provincial offices. 3.3 Regulations for Child and Youth Care Workers The meeting received a presentation from the South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSPs) on the regulations for Child and Youth Care Workers promulgated in October 2004, meant to professionalise this occupation. The presentation covered the processes (application, consultation, ratification by Council) leading to the promulgation of the regulations and the current status as far as implementation of the regulations is concerned. The meeting welcomed the professionalization of the CYCWs category, but noted with concerns the following: (a) Slow progress made by the SACSSP in processing applications for registration and the administration challenges and frustration in the process of registration. (b) The SACSSP circular dated 29 April 2016, which seeks to divert the SACSSP’s incapacity to process applications and to put blame on applicants as being uncooperative. Majority of applicants have complied with registration requirements, but to date they have not yet received certificates.

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN

(c) (d) (e)

Further to that, the same circular appears to be expecting prospective registrants to pay the annual fee, while they have not received the outcome of their applicants, be it at professional level or Auxiliary level. There is no practical demonstration, as to how the Sector, in particular the SACSSP is supporting unqualified cadres to obtain the necessary qualification. There is no practical demonstration as to how practicing cadres experience was taken into account during the process of finalising the regulations. The three year period set for unqualified practicing CYCWs to obtain the necessary qualification is too short and unrealistic.

The meeting resolved as follows: • The union to request the SACSSP review and extend the deadline for practicing CYCWs to obtain a minimum qualification at Auxiliary level. • The union to urge the SACSSP to expedite the processing of application and mobilise resources for training of unqualified practicing CYCWs. Around July 2016, we have learnt that the recent regulations for CYCWs do not have the clause on the 3 year requirement for CYCWs to have obtained a qualification. The SACSSP through the professional board for CYCWs is in the process review the current regulations. The union is monitoring the process and members will be updated accordingly. 3.4 Professionalisation of Community Development Practitioner occupation The meeting received a verbal update report on the process for Professionalisation of the Community Development Practitioner (CDP) occupation. It was reported that the application for Professionalisation of the CDP occupation was made by the National Department of Social Development, as a stakeholder and the process is at an advanced stage, where the SACSSP is on the verge of recommending regulations to the Minister of Social Development for approval. Subsequent to deliberations, the meeting resolved as follows: • The union to convene a meeting with the National Department of Social Development to get a briefing on the developments around the process of professionalising the CDP occupation. The meeting with the national department of Social Development is still to take place. 3.5 Policy for Social Service Practitioners Late 2013, the union learned though the SACSSP website that the national department of Social Development is at the advanced stage to conclude consultations on the draft policy for Social Service Practitioners, which at that stage there was an indication that they are on draft 5. The union engaged the national department of social development through the D-G for the department’s failure to consult with recognised trade unions in the social development sector and further demanded that such process must be honoured through the bargaining council. Indeed, the department of social development acceded to our reasonable demand and apologised for omitting recognised trade unions in the sector. The department of social development did make presentations in the bargaining council around 2014 and further invited recognised trade unions during provincial consultations.

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN Though this matter was covered in the previous updates reports, it is important to highlight it, as the process it at the advanced stage where consultations on the draft bill. This is also to dispel the notion that NEHAWU is not interested in Social Service Professionals’ issues. The purpose of this policy and the draft bill to be published soon is part of the process leading to review of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. Copies of the draft policy can be accessed at NEHAWU provincial and regional offices. The union is monitoring the process closely. Members will be kept updated. 4. National/sector interest matters 4.1 Reports of maladministration at the SACSSP and alleged misconduct by the then Registrar The meeting noted with concern reports of maladministration at the SACSSP and alleged misconduct by the then Registrar. The meeting resolved as follows: (a)

(b) (c) (d)

The union to call upon the newly established Council and the Minister of Social Development to act decisively on these allegations and people who are found to have contravened relevant and applicable policies, laws and regulations, to protect and defend the integrity of the SACSSP. The union to explore the possibility of calling the SACSSP to establish a commission of enquiry to get to the root of the problems at the SACSSP. The SACSSP to urgently attend to the administrative related weaknesses and risks The SACSSP to explore opening offices in all the provinces.

The union welcomes the recent developments at the SACSSP, in particular the termination of service of the controversial ex-Registrar. The union will continue monitoring progress at the SACSSP closely and ensure that our gains are not reversed. We have noted reports that the ex-Registrar is challenging the dismissal at CCMA. The union will continue supporting the SACSSP in its endeavours to run a clean administration and elevate the Social Service Professions to its rightful place. 4.2 Recent media statement by the national department of absorption of graduate Social Workers and scholarship program We have noted with concern the recent statement issued by the national department of Social development, in particular around the absorption of graduate Social Workers and the intention to suspend the scholarship program. This response is an indication of a continued department which is ever in denial, lost touch with the issues and always shifting the blame. In June 2016, the national department of Social Development presented a document in the bargaining council which indicates 48% vacancy rate for Social Work posts, but there are young graduates sitting at home. The failure of the scholarship program and absorption of the graduate Social Workers is a result of failure by the department of Social Development to manage and get its priorities accordingly. Suspending the program will delay the country in achieving vision 2030. We call upon the national department of Social Development to create a platform for stakeholders to discussion this matter and resolve on the wayforward. 4.3 Social Work march We have noted with concern attempts to cause confusion to members of the union by some comrades, who regard themselves as revolutionaries for Social Service Professionals, organising a march to fight

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NEHAWU PUBLIC SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR SECOND QUARTER BULLETIN against issues which NEHAWU through its mandating structures has been advocating for. Some of these issues have already been resolved in the best interest of our members and the Social Development Sector as whole. Some of these issues are at an advanced stage. Central to our concern are the accusations, insults and unnecessary attacks directed to the union. We strongly condemn and discourage this act of grandstanding. We call upon all NEHAWU members to distance themselves from these alien activities and avoid being hoodwinked by dark forces whose primary intention is to destroy the union for their own selfish interests. It is clear to us that the concerns raised are due to lack of information on the progress NEHAWU has made in advancing, promoting and protecting the interests of Social Service professionals. We can confirm that the union has addressed all the issues behind the march, which includes the challenges at the SACSSP hence the dismissal of the Registrar. It is important to clarify that the union has conceded even at the national meeting that we need to improve communication, as it appears that there are still branches and members who are still dying for update reports. The assertion that NEHAWU doesn’t know Social Workers and their issues is absolutely incorrect. NEHAWU has a dedicated sector for Social Development, led by a Social Worker, working closely with elected coordinators for each professional category from national level to branches. If there is an issue the union does not understand as alleged, it is incumbent of branches through the bargaining forum structures to articulate. The union is rolling out branch, regional and provincial meeting to give members feedback and seek mandates, in particular on the outcome of the PHSDSBC meeting were we declared a dispute. Members should also use these meetings to finalise the program of electing coordinators per each professional category through all levels (branch, region and province). End!!

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