Samwu berates Salga for hailing ‘progress’ on wage talks
Salga issued a statement, hailing ‘progress made’ during the second round of wage talks
The SA Municipal Workers Union, SA’S biggest local government union body, representing about 160,000 workers, has lashed out at the body representing the country’s 257 municipalities for trying to create an impression that parties in the bargaining council are “warming up to each other” and that an agreement will be reached soon.
The SA Local Government Association (Salga) had issued a statement hailing “progress made” during the second round of wage talks at the SA Local Government Bargaining Council in Durban this week, saying this augured well for labour peace and stability in the local government sector. It was agreed that further talks be held from June 3.
Salga, which is proposing a 2.8% wage increase for 2021/2022, below the 3.2% inflation rate recorded in March and the 4.3% average the Reserve Bank expects for 2021, said the parties acknowledged negotiations were taking place amid an economic downturn spawned by Covid-19.
“There is a highly reduced ability of municipalities to collect and generate revenue due to the impact on businesses and households,” Salga said.
“Salga remains fairly optimistic in the progress made at the negotiation table and the parties have affirmed their commitment to work towards a common ground”
The association said this boded well for labour peace and stability as well as “service delivery without interruptions”.
Treasury embarked on a collision course with unions in 2020 by calling on municipalities to apply for exemption from standing wage agreements after finance minister Tito Mboweni announced deep cuts to the public sector wage bill over the next three years — a decision the unions said was a “declaration of war”.
Samwu wants R4,000 salary increase across the board. Imatu, which represents about 80,000 workers, want a 9% wage hike or R2,500, whichever is greater.
Samwu will embark on a nationwide campaign to give its members feedback on the talks, “wherein the scenarios presented by the employer would be given to members for a decision to be made on the way forward”, said deputy general secretary Dumisane Magagula.