Municipal Wage Negotiations Begin

It is that time of the year, when employees and employers negotiate wage increases. Today the first round of wage negotiations in the municipal sector kicked off in Boksburg. However, according to South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) spokesperson, Tahir Sema the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) responded with a below inflation wage increase. “The parties have a huge mountain to climb after SALGA responded with a below inflation increase in response to joint demands of the trade unions. SAMWU in concert with IMATU table a proposal for the 2012/2013 financial year commencing in July,” says Sema According to the trade union they are asking for an across the board increase of 15% or R2000 for all employees falling under the registered scope of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC). He says they are also asking for the following: • A minimum wage in the Local Government Sector of R6000 • The filling of all vacant posts on all vacant posts on all Municipal Council approved organograms on a permanent and full time basis. • And a salary and wage collective agreement in respsect of a single year only • A 4% across the board increase • No minimum wage for the sector • No filling of vacancies • Termination of the agreement governing conditions of service and to terminate the existing disciplinary procedure • And to cap existing maximum contributions by employers towards medical aid schemes “The response by SALGA seeks to seriously cut into the standard of living of the existing terms and conditions of municipal workers. The wage increase proposed by SALGA will lead to workers receiving a cut in real wages. This is on top of no wage agreement being reached for 2011/12,” says Sema. He adds that the unwillingness of SALGA to fill the approximately 30 000 vacancies existing in the municipal sector shows a lack of commitment to service delivery. “As can be observed by the daily outbreaks of service delivery protests, communities are fed up with non-delivery of municipal services. This is largely due to the inappropriate allocation of resources to meet the needs of the poor. Some municipalities have key departments like electricity and water service operating at 20% levels of full staff,” says Sema Sema says the high number of vacancies leaves workers having to work excessive amounts of overtime to cover the requirements of service. “This chronic usage of overtime is unhealthy for the workers concerned and compromises quality service delivery. The stance taken by SALGA is at odds with meeting the legitimate needs of workers and communities,” adds Sema.