Labour welcomes court date for Tshwane wage review hearing

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