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Most Imatu regions accept facilitators’ proposed wage hikes for municipal workers

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ImatuBL Premium reports that according to Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) president Keith Swanepoel, the union’s members have largely accepted a proposal brokered by two facilitators for above-inflation wage increases for municipal employees.

“Our regions are accepting the facilitators’ proposal. Most regions are saying, yes, yes, yes, they will accept the proposal. However, our mandate seeking process will be completed by Friday,” Swanepoel advised on Wednesday. This as Imatu and the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) embarked on a countrywide mandate-seeking process after the completion of wage talks at the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC). Imatu, Samwu and the SA Local Government Association (Salga), the employer body representing the country’s 257 municipalities, held three rounds of talks in July and August, but could not reach a pay deal. In their subsequent proposal, dated 15 August, the facilitators proposed a five-year wage deal for increases of 6% in the first year, 4.5% in July 2024 and an additional 1.5% increase effective in March 2025. From 2025/26 to 2026/27, the facilitators proposed an increase of CPI plus 0.75%, and CPI plus 1.25% in the outer years of the agreement. In the event CPI is less than 4% workers shall receive a 4% wage increase (from years two to five) and if it is more than 7%, the wage increase shall be deemed 7%. Samwu’s Papikie Mohale said on Wednesday: “We are in the process of taking a mandate from our members on the facilitators’ proposal. Thereafter, the union’s national executive committee will meet to consolidate the mandate. It’s then that we will communicate to the SALGBC regarding whether our members are accepting or rejecting the proposed settlement.” The unions have until 2 September to communicate their decisions to the SALGBC.

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)


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