Staff Reporter
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed deep concern over the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s failure to resolve an ongoing impasse affecting workers’ salaries and municipal operations.
COSATU KZN Provincial Secretary Edwin Mkhize said on Friday that the dispute dates back to the 2016 amalgamation of the Hibiscus Coast and Ezinqoleni Municipalities, which elevated the municipality’s grading from Grade 4 to Grade 5.
In 2021, salary scales for senior management, heads of departments (HODs), and the municipal manager were adjusted to align with Grade 5. By 2023, councilors’ salaries were also upgraded, including back pay.
However, Mkhize noted that efforts to harmonise workers’ salaries post-amalgamation have faced delays.
“A process to align workers’ salaries with the Grade 5 categorisation was initiated, but many workers are still paid at differing levels,” he said.
Arbitration ruled that workers should be placed at Category Level 5 and receive six months’ compensation. Despite this, the municipality has opted to challenge the ruling in the Labour Court, frustrating workers.
“Labour acknowledges the employer’s right to review the ruling, but workers feel the municipality is stalling their compensation while seamlessly upgrading salaries for councilors and HODs,” Mkhize said.
He added that the prolonged delay has demoralised workers, leaving many vulnerable and financially strained.
COSATU, alongside its affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), has engaged municipal leadership to resolve the issue.
However, Mkhize criticised the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the municipality for their lack of political will, which has exacerbated frustrations among workers and union leaders.
The impasse has also drawn parallels to similar challenges faced by workers at the uMdoni Municipality.
COSATU has escalated the matter to its national leadership, seeking intervention at government level.
“We call on the municipality to treat this issue with urgency to avoid disruptions to service delivery,” said Mkhize.
“SALGA must fulfill its oversight role effectively and resolve issues that hinder municipal functioning.”
COSATU and SAMWU urged calm among workers, assuring them that efforts are underway to find a fair and progressive resolution.
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