Municipal strike on the cards

By Ofentse Mokae
07 April 2010

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union has announced that it will embark on a national strike on Monday in demand of better salaries.

The union’s Walter Theledi says in a statement that a job evaluation was concluded with the South African Local Government Association seven years ago.

He says the delay in implementing job evaluation and wage curves allows municipalities to exploit workers by paying below the correct wage level.

Theledi says they hope to come to some agreement.

In light of the expected strike the SALGA requested an urgent meeting with the union today.

However Theledi warns that if SALGA did not resolve the matter in today’s meeting, they will mobilize their membership and the national strike will go ahead as planned.

If it takes place the strike will see 130 000 of SAMWU members on the streets.

Corporate Governance and Traditional affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka has also urged SAMWU to attend the urgent meeting scheduled for 4pm today.