By Thapelo Molefe
In what has been described as a groundbreaking deal, the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has successfully negotiated a five-year wage deal with the South African Local Government Association, which represents the country’s 257 municipalities.
Samwu general secretary Dumisane Magagula said the deal would benefit over 300,000 municipal workers nationwide, providing stability, consistency and long-term benefits.
Workers would receive a 6% hike for the 2024/25 financial year, with 4.5% effective from 1 July, and an additional 1.5% on 1 March 2025.
Subsequent increases would by the CPI plus 0.75% (2025/26 and 2026/27) and CPI plus 1.25% (2027/28 and 2028/29).
“This agreement reflects the critical role municipal workers play in keeping our cities and towns running smoothly.
“We have ensured that municipal workers will no longer be subject to short-term negotiations that only offer temporary relief,” he said.
Magagula said the deal also addressed housing, with a once-off R2,000 payment for low- income workers and an investigation to improve housing conditions for municipal employees.
He has vowed to ensure that municipalities comply with the agreement and protect workers’ rights.
“No worker should be deprived of the salary increases and benefits they are rightfully owed. We will not tolerate any attempts by municipalities to renege on the commitments made in this agreement.
“Samwu will hold them accountable at every step to protect the gains we have achieved for our members,” he said.
The union is currently in a legal battle with the City of Tshwane to ensure that municipal workers get increases agreed to nearly three years ago.
They go to the Labour Court in November.
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