President Cyril Ramaphosa is right about one thing: The government's financial position is both precarious and unsustainable.
However, it is an option that has angered unions. It means government as an employer would undermine a legitimate, multi-year wage agreement in place - a move that would be the subject of legal scrutiny should labour challenge it in court.On this matter he stands in cross hairs with an alliance that backed his presidency, at a time when his grip on the party is arguably at its most vulnerable.
Ramaphosa met the alliance yesterday for the first time since the spending reduction plan was tabled by finance minister Tito Mboweni last week. Early indications are that labour federation Cosatu is so confident in its legal position that it's unlikely to blink first. Whether the president can negotiate a legitimate compromise that will stave off a looming showdown and save the public sector from further financial erosion is yet to be seen.
What we know, however, is that yesterday's meeting was the first of what is undoubtedly to become a series of political negotiations which will ultimately shape Ramaphosa's future as president.
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