SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members marched to Tshwane House to demand the metro implement the 5.4% raise agreed upon in the SA Local Government Bargaining Council in 2021.
They demonstrated to express their displeasure with several issues, including the city’s contracting practices, the metro police’s evaluation procedures, and performance management systems. Municipal services, including bus operations, have been disrupted throughout the city due to the protest.
Tshwane Mayor Cillers Brink finally agreed to address the workers and said” Tshwane has had several shocks in the past few years. We have had lockdown, an administration which has affected the finances of this city.” He continued to say his department is on a rescue mission for the city and wants to stabilise the finances of the city before making changes.
The protestors were unhappy with the mayor’s response and vowed not to return to work until their demands were met. President Nelson Mokgotho from SA Municipal Workers Union addressed the employees saying they would stick to their mandate of not reporting to work until they get paid all of their money.
On behalf of the workers, an anonymous protestor told the Tshwane Bulletin, “ The union leadership has made it clear there is money in the city. Unfortunately, the city is not prioritizing workers.”
“The city collects revenue close to 7 Billion every month so what the mayor is saying is not the truth and the statement indicates that he does not respect labour and does not respect the workers of the City that are supposed to render services to the City, the protestor added.”
The mayor of Tshwane attributed the city’s financial problems to the previous administration’s promises made in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. He vowed to refrain from such commitments going forward.
SA Municipal Workers Union officials and Tshwane executive mayor Cillers Brink are expected to negotiate again on ending the pay strike that started last week.
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