Municipal strike looms over wage increases
- Published on 10 Apr 2015
- HR Pulse News Desk
A showdown between local government and unions is expected as they struggle to find common ground and avert a strike that could bring municipal services to a standstill.
The two sides meet again in two weeks’ time after the first round of negotiations recently yielded no fruit. The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) are demanding an across-the-board wage increase of 15%, or R4,000, and a housing allowance of R1,800 for all municipal employees. The SA Local Government Association's (Salga’s) offer - on behalf of 278 municipalities - of a 4.4% inflation-linked pay increase for the first year has been rejected by Samwu and Imatu.
Salga spokesman Tahir Sema warned yesterday that the current economic environment did not allow for high wage increases. "We are negotiating in a very tough and stringent financial environment. The minister of finance has indicated that even 1% over inflation for salary and wage increases will be unaffordable,” he said. Samwu spokesman Papikie Mohale said the union would not back down on its demands.
