The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) commends its assertive affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) for emerging victorious at Msunduzi Local Municipality in KwaZulu Natal and Kannaland Local Municipality in the Western Cape. The union stood firm for workers at these municipalities and pushed against exploitative practices of retaining personnel in contracts for years and the non-payment of outstanding overtime.

Municipal workers at Msunduzi in Pietermaritzburg were justified in resorting to demonstrations if the employer refuses to acknowledge their demands. Taking to the streets is the last resort when negotiations aren’t conducted in good faith.

The strike began in June, but SAMWU temporarily suspended it mid-month to allow for negotiations to continue. It retained the principle of collective bargaining for their reasonable demands, which included the implementation of a job evaluation process through an independent third party, Deloitte, and the regrading of general assistants from salary level T3 to T7. Furthermore, was the petition for the absorption of interns, contract workers and Expanded Public Works Programme beneficiaries into permanent positions, as well as the payment of outstanding overtime.

COSATU is elated that after almost two months, an agreement to advance the workers at Msunduzi Municipality has been finally reached. The unethical behavior of municipalities of refusing to pay what is due to their staff should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Equally is the practice of placing workers on temporary contracts for periods ranging from four to 15 years, as was the case at Kannaland Local Municipality. It is a crude pattern intended to abuse workers for extended periods while robbing them of benefits reserved for permanent employment.

The settlement of the dispute between SAMWU, on behalf of C. Appolis and 18 others is an example of the resilience of the affiliates of the Federation. These workers were subjected to years of unfair treatment. Shocking is the expectation of the employer for staff to work in unsafe conditions without the tools of trade and personal protective equipment.

COSATU congratulates SAMWU and its members for remaining resolute despite the hurdles that came with these accomplishments.

Exploitative employers have no room in the country’s hard-won Constitution.

Issued by COSATU

Nonzuzo Dlamini (Communication Officer)

Mobile: 066 194 3619

Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za