Sara Masiteng
South African Municipal Workers’ Union has rejected the South African Local Government Association’s paltry 3.75% wage offer, describing it as a mockery and way below the inflation as the two parties on Monday sat around the table for the third round of talks.
SAMWU general secretary Dumisane Magagula described SALGA’s offer as an insult to the financially struggling workers, citing that most of the 257 municipalities have budgeted for over 5% increases and it was disturbing therefore why the body would offer such a low percent.
Magagula after second round talks last week said the low offer by SALGA could be a tactic to derail wage talks and deny the workers their right to earn their rightful increased salaries which already should been due from July 1st.
“SAMWU entered these negotiations with a firm resolve to secure an agreement that addresses the urgent needs of its members, who continue to provide essential services under increasingly oppressive conditions. SALGA’s offer not only falls short of our just demands but also blatantly disregards the invaluable contributions and sacrifices of
municipal workers,” said Magagula in a statement.
After the second round of talks last week, SALGA increased its offer from 3.3% to 3.75%.
Also, on the table was R3000 one time ex gratia payment for workers earning below R22000 which Magagula described as laughable and showed complete lack of respect for the financial struggles municipal workers had to endure.
SALGA proposed a 5-year salary and wage collective agreement, a first in the history of the country’s local government sector. The union said it is not opposed to a multi-year agreement but Magagula said that such an agreement must come with significant incentives.
“The proposed increase in the sectoral minimum wage to R9890 is grossly inadequate.
SAMWU demands a substantial increase to ensure a living wage for all municipal workers.
We are steadfast in our commitment to achieving a living wage for all municipal workers in
South Africa.
“The proposed 3.75% increase is a mockery, especially considering the rising cost of living
and inflation rates. The one-time payment of R3000 does nothing to address the need for
the sustained, meaningful wage growth. SALGA’s claim of offering an inflation-linked
increase is deceitful as the current offer is below 5.1% inflation rate,” said Magagula.
“Most municipalities have budgeted for an increase of 5% and above, yet SALGA’s offer
falls disgracefully short,” he added.
The third round resumed on Monday and Magagula called on SALGA to put a decent offer
on the table.
According to the national Treasury, 37 839 public sector workers earn more than R1 million
annually. Total compensation for civil servants climbed from R408 billion in 2013-14 to
R721 billion in 2023-24.
Meanwhile SALGA has called for more funding to improve the financial sustainability of
municipalities arguing that the R484 million in conditional grants allocated for the financial
year 2024/25 was inadequate considering the substantial infrastructure backlogs in
municipalities. Majority of the municipalities were relying on the conditional grant to pay
salaries, according to the Auditor-General.
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