The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) pledges its full and unwavering support with its militant Affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), as it readies to embark on a National Day of Action next Thursday, 9 July in Tshwane.

SAMWU will march to the offices of National Treasury to hand over a memorandum highlighting the continued hardship faced by municipal workers across the country. Municipal workers are at the coalface of service delivery, yet they continue to endure non-compliance with collective agreements, delayed salary payments, attacks on bargaining rights, casualisation and the victimisation of their representatives.

COSATU is deeply concerned by the growing crisis in municipalities, where workers are expected to keep communities functioning while employers fail to honour basic obligations. Municipal workers collect refuse, maintain water and sanitation systems, keep communities clean, support emergency services, and ensure that local government continues to serve residents. They deserve decent work, respect, and full compliance with negotiated agreements.

SAMWU’s demands and grievances include the following:

• The union is deeply aggrieved about municipalities’ non-compliance with the Main Collective Agreement 2015–2020.
• SAMWU demands an end to unfair labour practices, including unilateral changes to conditions of service without consultation.
• Urgent conclusion of wage curve negotiations and implementation of agreed wage increases.
• An end to outsourcing, casualisation, labour broking, and all practices that erode job security.
• Immediate payment of salaries and third-party deductions, including pensions, medical aid, and other statutory commitments.
• Protection of collective bargaining, organisational rights, and the right of workers to protest.
• Full implementation of the PFA agreement.
• Reinstatement of SAMWU shop stewards and members dismissed for participating in legitimate protest actions.

COSATU and SAMWU will call on National Treasury, municipalities, SALGA and COGTA to urgently resolve these grievances and restore stability in local government. The financial distress of municipalities must not be shifted onto workers and communities.

The Federation calls on all its Affiliates to stand in solidarity with SAMWU and join its National Day of Action next Thursday.

COSATU further calls on workers, shop stewards, communities, and progressive civil society formations to stand with municipal workers, because the struggle for decent work in municipalities is inseparable from the struggle for quality public services, accountable local government, and dignity for working-class communities.

The Federation stands firmly behind SAMWU and all municipal workers. COSATU will continue to defend workers’ rights, oppose austerity measures that undermine public services, and campaign for a properly funded, people-centred local government.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za