Samwu ready to strike for 11% hike

01 July 2015 - 08:53 By KINGDOM MABUZA

The largest trade union in the local government sector is preparing itself for a massive strike. The SA Municipal Workers Union yesterday threatened that it would embark on a strike if the SA Local Government Association, did not improve its wage increase offer of 5,9% today.Samwu and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union are set for conciliation talks with Salga in the local government bargaining council today.The parties considered conciliation after three rounds of wage negotiations that did not yield a result."The offer from Salga is ridiculous, bearing in mind that Salga has just made a plea that councillors get a minimum salary of R1.3-million while municipal workers are entangled in poverty as a result of slave wages," said Samwu spokesman Papiki Mohale.He said municipal workers were willing to strike if their 11% wage increase and R1,200 housing allowance demands were not met."Our members are ready to meet Salga on the street to defend our interests," he said.Salga spokesman Tahir Sema condemned the threat of a strike before all avenues of negotiation had been exhausted."It is premature for Samwu to say they will strike while there are still mechanisms which can be utilised to avert that action," he said...

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