The South African Local Government Association (Salga) on Tuesday said it was dismayed to find out in the media that municipal workers will embark on another three-day strike next week.
Salga human resources director Rio Nolutshungu said the association has not been informed formally by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) of its intention to embark on strike action.
“We would like to find out from the union when we meet their representatives on Friday why [a strike is planned] now, when wage negotiations are continuing,” Nolutshungu said.
He added that Salga is trying “its level best” to reach an agreement on wages with the union.
Samwu spokesperson Chichi Selepe said the union will definitely give Salga a formal notice for strike action before the end of the week.
“A position has already been taken and the strike is definitely on. Wage negotiations have deadlocked and we realised that our one-day strike last week was not enough — hence we are now going to be striking for three days,” Selepe said.
The union held a nationwide strike last week.
The union argued that there has been no progress in wage negotiations with Salga.
Samwu and the Independent Municipal and Allied Workers’ Union are demanding a 9% pay increase and a minimum wage of R3Â 000, while Salga is offering an increase of 6%.
Municipal workers took to the streets last week to protest against Salga’s 6% wage-increase offer, municipal bosses’ high wages, privatisation of services and the fact that they have to negotiate a three-year wage deal. The union, instead, wants to negotiate on a yearly basis. — I-Net Bridge