'We've been singing all week for nothing' - Tshwane municipal workers on settlement agreement
After a week of protesting, some disgruntled Tshwane municipal workers, who were demanding an 18% salary increase, remain disappointed about a settlement that was reached to bring the strike to an end.
Hundreds of members affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) gathered for the fifth day outside the City's headquarters on Friday morning, where representatives briefed them on the outcomes of salary negotiations that took place at the Bargaining Council in Centurion.
Samwu's Tshwane chairperson Mpho Tladinyane informed the calm crowd that, while they would not be receiving the 18% increase, they would be receiving gratia equalisation payments, as per an agreement with the City.
The municipal workers embarked on the strike on Monday, bringing Pretoria to a standstill and causing traffic mayhem after the city's buses were used to block some intersections. They were demanding an 18% increase, which they claimed was granted to top managers in the municipality.
The City justified the move by saying that the managers had forfeited their benefits.