The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has rejected a 5 – year proposed salary and wage agreement made by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

SALGA has proposed a sectoral minimum wage of R9890 for municipal workers, a 3.75% increase, accompanied by a one-time ex gratia payment of R3,000 for workers earning below R22,000.

In a statement released by SAMWU yesterday, Dumisane Magagula, General Secretary, called the proposal a mockery, especially considering the rising cost of living and inflation rates.

“The one-time payment of R3,000 does nothing to address the need for sustained, meaningful wage growth.”

SALGA’s 5-year salary and wage collective proposal, wants the union, to enter into a first of its kind multi-year agreement.

SAMWU said this is “laughable and shows a complete lack of respect for the financial struggles municipal workers face. Despite repeated movements by labour to the current 8% demand, SALGA has not reciprocated this movement.”

Magagula said the current offer is also far below the 5.1% inflation rate.

This emerged after the second current salary and wage negotiations for the country’s 257 municipal workers at the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC), which took place from July 23-26.

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