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TimesLIVE reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) says it is outraged by the latest wage offer for municipal employees made by the SA Local Government Association (Salga).
The second round of the current salary and wage negotiations for the country’s 257 municipalities took place from 23 to 26 July in the SA Local Government Bargaining Council. Salga proposed a five-year wage agreement, which would be a first in the history of the country’s local government sector. Samwu said it was not opposed to a multi-year agreement, but it must come with significant incentives. The union said the “paltry” offer from Salga – increasing from a mere 3.3% to an “equally insulting” 3.75%, accompanied by a one-time ex gratia payment of R3,000 for workers earning below R22,000 – was laughable and showed a complete lack of respect for the financial struggles municipal workers faced. Samwu said despite repeated movements down by labour to the current 8% demand, Salga had not reciprocated appropriately. The union called on Salga in the third round of negotiations, scheduled for 12 to 16 August, to return with a revised offer “that truly benefitted municipal workers who are essential to service delivery.” Salary increases for municipal employees were due to be effected in July.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
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