Samwu calls on Tshwane to 'immediately' pay workers’ salary increases
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has called on the City of Tshwane to pay workers their salary increases following the decision of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.
On Monday the SALGBC upheld their July order that the City must pay workers their 5.4% salary increases, a wage hike agreement that was struck in 2021, however the City applied for exemption claiming it does not have money to pay the salaries.
The non-payment has led to an 'illegal strike' that has affected service delivery in the city, including electricity outage repairs, water restoration, and refuse removal.
SAMWU spokesperson Papiki Mohale says during the exemption hearing the City failed to prove that it does not have the resources needed to fund the salary increases.
"It has always been SAMWU’s contention that the City does have the money for these increases, but has taken a political decision to deliberately deny workers their salaries for a second time in three years."
"Importantly, the City had budgeted just over R12 billion for staff remuneration, but did ended up with a surplus of just over R1.1 billion.
"The City was given an opportunity to make their case and they have failed to convince the Commissioner that they are indeed facing financial difficulties which prevents them from paying the increases," he said
Mohale says the refusal to honor the 2021 agreement has had an impact on the cost of living for the workers.
"The blatant refusal to pay these increases has compounded the economic pressure that workers are experiencing. These workers are unable to keep up with the cost of living," he added
Meanwhile, the City says it will approach the Labour Court to set aside the ruling of the Bargaining Council.
ALSO READ:
