The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins its affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), in celebrating its 39th anniversary this October.
For the past decades, the union has displayed visible defiance of unconducive working conditions for its members and lack of governance of delipidating municipalities, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted service delivery to communities across the country.
Formed on the principles of non-racialism and forging a single municipal workers’ union in October 1987, SAMWU emerged to be the country’s first national, local government union. It dismantled racial lines between five unions to become a militant force in municipalities, standing at the forefront of political, administrative and collective bargaining hurdles. It is because of this union that municipal workers from diverse backgrounds can proudly perform their duties with the confidence of SAMWU’s backing.
The confidence of the workers is justified. The union has proved on numerous occasions that it is unshaken in tough battles. Over the years, it has staged demonstrations that brought the country to a standstill, in pursuit of better wages and working conditions. In 2002, it held a massive three-week national wage strike by thousands of municipal workers protesting against meagre wage offers from the South African Local Government Association. The landmark was one of many that secured fair grading and salary adjustments.
Last year it won a historical Constitutional Court case against the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the South African Local Government Association, which prevented municipal staff from holding political office in their personal capacity. The ruling vindicating the union’s long-standing position of rejecting the 2022 amendment to the Municipal Systems Act. Municipal workers were often dismissed or threatened for exercising their constitutional right to political expression. The Constitutional Court affirmed that only senior municipal officials may be restricted from holding political office, as was originally intended during the public participation process.
Today, SAMWU continues to spearhead the interests of its members. Workers are confronted by a myriad of inexcusable challenges at the hands of the employer. At times they are forced to work under conditions caused by systemic and financial factors.
Often, they risk their lives in hazardous environments, maintaining water, sanitation, and electricity infrastructure without the provision of protective gear and tools of trade. A significant number of municipalities have been found guilty of delaying salaries and failing to pay pension fund contributions. Recent figures from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority reveal a shocking R1.79 billion that is owed to pension funds by municipalities who are deducting the money from employees but never paid it over to the funds.
SAMWU is fighting tooth and nail against such theft of workers’ monies. COSATU hails SAMWU for its unwavering dedication to the interests of its members, the working class and society at large because good governance and the wellbeing of the workers contributes greatly to the quality of services.
It is without a doubt that SAMWU’s zero nonsense approach is the fundamental voice in our municipalities.
Long live SAMWU, long live!
Issued by COSATU
Nonzuzo Dlamini (Communication Officer)
Mobile: 066 194 3619
Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za