Municipalities, unions bang heads over pay rises

05 March 2015 - 02:16 By Penwell Dlamini and Kingdom Mabuza
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Samwu members on strike. File picture
Samwu members on strike. File picture
Image: SUPPLIED

The first round of wage negotiations between the SA Municipal Workers' Union and the SA Local Government Association is headed for deadlock after the union rejected the employer's offer.

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union has also rejected the offer.

Salga, on behalf of 278 municipalities, tabled an offer of a 4.4% increase for the first year.

For the second and third year of the agreement, Salga offered an inflation-linked increase plus an additional 0.25%.

Samwu and Imatu are demanding:

  • An across-the-board increase of 15% or R4000 for all employees under the scope of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council;
  • A minimum wage of R9625; and
  • A flat rate housing allowance of R1800 for all employees.

The current wage deal lapses in June and a strike c ould halt all municipal services.

Samwu is accusing Salga of not negotiating in good faith.

"The employer had the audacity to say workers in rural areas should not get housing allowances because they are comfortable living in areas where there are no basic services like electricity, water and sanitation," said Samwu spokes-man Papikie Mohale.

Samwu said the 4.4% offer was below inflation and ridiculous.

"We believe that CPI does not measure real increases and that it is merely a measure of spending trends," Mohale said.

Imatu's deputy secretary, Craig Adams, said, though it remained committed to constructive and meaningful dialogue with Salga, workers expected a living wage.

"We have a mandate to ensure that our members' income is not eroded by the continually increasing cost of living," said Adams.

Salga spokesman Tahir Sema warned that it was too early to predict the outcome of the negotiations.

"Parties agreed to put the interests of the country, the cities and workers at heart during the negotiating process."

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