Municipal pay talks began on Tuesday, described by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) as a ”showdown” between the government’s macro-economic policy and workers’ pockets.
The union said the effects of fiscal austerity measures have been severely felt by municipal workers, with increases over the past few years barely keeping up with inflation ”while thousands of jobs have been lost as a result of privatisation and other downsizing activities” undertaken by municipalities.
In a statement, the 230 000-strong union said demands tabled in negotiations with the South African Local Government Association (Salga) include a minimum wage of R3 500 a month.
”For higher-earning workers, the increase will be R500 or 15%, whichever is the greater.”
Samwu said acceptance of its demands will ensure that workers in local government receive an increase above inflation, with more than 30% of the workforce living in poverty and earning the current minimum of R2 600 a month.
The union said that for many years, workers in the middle-to-lower-income levels received increases below inflation, eroding their spending power.
Distortions have also occurred in the wage structure, with semi-skilled worker wages not differing significantly from those of skilled workers.
”Skilled workers have either sought other employment or have scrambled madly for promotion, leading to increased tensions at the workplace as there have been very few promotional opportunities.”
Samwu said its demands will result in the wage gap between highest and lowest earners closing.
Salga is offering a 3,6% increase for all workers, which the union said is a ”slap in the face” for any worker.
”Salga’s proposal that no further improvements be made to the minimum wage is a sad statement about how the leadership in local government views the plight of the poor,” said Samwu.
Attempts to get hold of Salga spokesperson Mbangwa Xaba for comment were unsuccessful. — Sapa