Tshwane Loses Exemption Application, to Appeal in Labour Court

Johnathan Paoli

THE SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) dismissed an application by the Tshwane Metro on Sunday for exemption from implementing the last leg of a wage deal reached in council in 2021.

The ruling comes as the City of Tshwane employees, who are members of Samwu, have been on strike since July 26, demanding that the metro implement a 5.4% wage increase-  the last leg of a three-year wage agreement signed in the SALGBC in 2021.

The City applied for a deviation from the 2021 Wage Collective Agreement for this financial year, citing financial difficulties.

However, the council ruled against the Metro in favour of the workers, stating the reasons put forward by the municipality as insufficient for an exemption to be applied.

The strike action, which has turned violent with at least one employee shot and city infrastructure affected, has also impacted essential services such as water