SAMWU Going for Conciliation in the SALGBC
29 June 2015
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) will be going for conciliation with SALGA in the Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) from the 1stto 3rd July. The conciliations come after three rounds of negotiations which were a fruitless exercise and a waste of workers money as there was no commitment from SALGA to ensure that the negotiations are concluded before the current collective agreement lapses.
SALGA has dragged its feet in the negotiation processes, this has led to a situation wherein the current agreement lapses on the 30th of June while workers do not know what increase they will be getting, an increase that has real gains for them. The offers that have come from SALGA’s side are nothing but ridiculous, bearing in mind that SALGA has just made a plea that their principals (councillors) get a minimum salary of R1.3 million while municipal workers are entangled in the perpetual circle of poverty as a result of the slave wages they get. There is really no justification for SALGA's demand on behalf of councillors, their battles with MPs and MPLs cannot be used to dilute real demands of municipal workers, people who are responsible for service delivery.
SALGA simply does not care, under the leadership of Xolile George, the Association has been used by Mr George and his cronies to enrich themselves while legitimate demands of municipal workers are ignored. Xolile George only cares about his R3.8 million annual salary, his R86 000 cellphone allowance and his R150 000 car allowances, allowances which are way above the annual salary of municipal workers. Mr George should do the honourable thing and leave SALGA as the country’s municipalities, workers and most importantly community members will continue to suffer so long as he is at the helm of SALGA.
We have significantly revised of initial demand while there has been no real movement from SALGA’s side. We firmly believe that our members’ demands are reasonable and achievable we further believe that SALGA should ensure that all workers live in dignity by giving an across the board housing allowance of R1 200, just as other state employees are receiving. Municipalities are not government junior partners and as such municipal workers should be treated fairly just as any state employee.
The intimidation tactics by SALGA of threatening the union with legal action for speaking the truth will not work; we remain resolute, unshaken and unapologetic. We will not dignify SALGA with an apology for demanding living and decent wages for our members. If SALGA wants to conclude these negotiations on the streets, they should know that the ground is fertile, our members are ready and we shall meet SALGA on the street to defend and champion our member’s interests.
Statement issued by SAMWU, June 29 2015
