By Thapelo Molefe
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and its municipal workers’ affiliate, Samwu, have welcomed the Labour Court’s decision to hear the City of Tshwane’s review application on the metro’s refusal to comply with a wage settlement agreement.
In 2021, parties at the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) agreed on a three-year salary and wage increase settlement that would see municipal workers receiving a 3.5% increase in the 2021/22 financial year, 4.9% in 2022/23, and 5.4% in 2023/24.
The Labour Court is set to hear the city review application on 28 November. This is nearly three years after the municipality refused to honour the settlement.
Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela praised Samwu on Thursday for its unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of its members. Sabela said, despite the city’s attempts to secure exemptions from the increases, Samwu had remained resolute in its pursuit of justice for its members.
“The federation stands firmly behind its tireless affiliate as it looks to the court as the final arbiter in this matter and trusts its ruling will favour the workers who have been battling to keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of living,” she said.
Sabela said the court case had far-reaching implications, not only for the employees of the city, but also for thousands of municipal workers whose rights were under threat from “unscrupulous” employers.
Samwu secretary Dumisane Magagula said the city has repeatedly sought to evade its responsibilities by applying for exemptions.
“Despite losing these exemption applications, the city has stubbornly refused to pay the increases and has escalated the matter to the Labour Court in a misguided attempt to overturn the SALGBC award,” Magagula said.
Despite some progress, no agreement had been reached between the partie. Magagla said the metro needed to understand that it could not trample on the rights of its workers without consequence.
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