See more on the SAMWU strike here!
In Grahamstown and across the country, the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has given employers an ultimatum: meet our demands by Monday, or we will strike.
After several unsuccessful wage negotiations between Samwu and their employer, the South African Local Government Association (Salga), municipal workers have unanimously resolved to go on strike if their wages are not increased by 18%, or R2000 across the board.
Salga has only offered to increase wages by 6.8%. According to Samwu’s national spokesperson Tahir Sema, if the strike goes ahead about 140 000 union members will take to the streets, 20 000 of whom are workers in the water purification sector. He adds that if it is a lengthy strike it could spell a crisis in all municipalities throughout the country.
See more on the SAMWU strike here!
In Grahamstown and across the country, the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has given employers an ultimatum: meet our demands by Monday, or we will strike.
After several unsuccessful wage negotiations between Samwu and their employer, the South African Local Government Association (Salga), municipal workers have unanimously resolved to go on strike if their wages are not increased by 18%, or R2000 across the board.
Salga has only offered to increase wages by 6.8%. According to Samwu’s national spokesperson Tahir Sema, if the strike goes ahead about 140 000 union members will take to the streets, 20 000 of whom are workers in the water purification sector. He adds that if it is a lengthy strike it could spell a crisis in all municipalities throughout the country.
Sema told Grocott’s: “We are open for further discussions with the employer if they are willing to table a revised offer. Our experience with the employer is that they only take negotiations seriously when the strike is underway.”
Although Samwu’s chairperson in Makana, Wandile Bikitsha told Grocott's that the union has resolved to strike next week, Milisa Kentane, Salga's national spokesperson said that the management executive was still trying to find a way to avoid the strike.
If the strike goes ahead, areas of Grahamstown where the bucket system is still used could find themselves with uncollected buckets – presenting a major health hazard.
Moreover, the taps in the town could run dry if staff of the water purification works join in the strike.
Communities across the country could also face a separate strike by post offices workers, following an announcement by the Communications Workers Union this week that its members intended to put down their tools.
The decision to strike had been made at the union’s executive meeting last week, said Matankana Mothapo, CWU spokesperson.
The union demands 11% while the employer offers close to 6%.
However, communications manager of the South African Post Office Johan Kruger, hopes that a strike may be averted. He said that the South African Post Office is confident that a satisfactory conclusion regarding employees' salaries will soon be reached.
