Thousands of municipal workers are expected to march throughout South Africa on Thursday in demand of higher wages on the third day of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union’s national strike.
Samwu is demanding a salary increase of 10% or R300,
whichever is the highest.
The SA Local Government Association (Salga) is offering seven percent.
Samwu said late on Wednesday afternoon that the attendance of marches on day two was good, with between 80 and 90% of workers on strike in many cities and towns.
In a statement released late on Wednesday afternoon Samwu said it had asked the Departments of Labour and Local Government to assist in bringing Salga back to the negotiation table.
The union said more marches would be held on Thursday.
It will be busy in the Eastern Cape according to a Samwu schedule of events.
The main march of the day is scheduled for Queenstown. Workers are expected to gather at a church hall near the Mlungisi Hall at 9am and march to Chris Hani District Municipality to hand over a
memorandum at 2pm.
In Uitenhage workers are to meet at Market Square at 8am for picketing. In Despatch workers will hold a general meeting in the community hall.
At Kouga there will be pickets on Thursday and Friday at the municipality, while at Ndlambe workers will march to Port Alfred to hand over a memorandum and picket at different offices on Friday.
In the East London, Koukamma, Blue Crane, Ikwezi, Baviaans and Makana municipalities, pickets are scheduled on Thursday and Friday at the municipal offices.
In Aliwal North workers are also planning a march for Thursday. – Sapa