A midst budgetary constraints and widespread dissatisfaction with services provided by municipalities, the national structure of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is in an advanced stage with salary and wage negotiations for municipal workers.
At a media briefing that concluded a two-day Samwu National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last Thursday, Samwu General Secretary, Simon Mathe said that negotiations in the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) went through two sessions as yet and that the final round will take place during the first week of March. “Samwu proposed a single year agreement, an across the board 15% increase or R3 155, a R2 000 housing allowance for all employees and a R10 000 sectoral minimum wage and proposed that all benefits and conditions of service be linked to the salaries increase,” Mathe reported. According to Mathe, the employers, represented by the South African Local Government Association (Salga), responded with a counter proposal for a five year collective agreement, a 4,6% increase in the first year of collective agreement and Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 0,25% for the remainder of the collective agreement and that the housing allowance, benefits and minimum wage be increased in line with the five year collective agreement. “Samwu rejected the employer proposal which led to a second round of negotiations held in the first week of February. We believe that the demands which we have put through for our members are reasonable particularly given the fact that municipal workers are the least paid government employees,” Mathe said.
Mathe reported that the NEC is concerned over the state in which municipalities find themselves in. “Most municipalities have made it fashionable to pay workers’ salaries late while some have not been paying third parties such as union subscriptions, pension funds, medical aids and funeral policies. The late payment of salaries and non-payment of third parties has had serious consequences for our members. The NEC has therefore mandated the union’s legal department to lay criminal and fraud charges against municipalities which have failed to pay third parties,” Mathe said.
Samwu also called on all municipalities to absorb all temporary workers. “That will not only save money but will ensure that workers are well remunerated with job security,” Mathe explained.
Story & photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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