Samwu defends salary increase against DA's claims in Tshwane

THE South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) has hit back at the DA for claiming that the SA Local Government Bargaining Council's ruling on Monday for awarding municipal workers a 3.5% backdated salary increase for the 2021 financial year is "legally flawed and financially ruinous".

- RAPULA MOATSHE

The development follows a May 9 Labour Court ruling that sent the matter back to the bargaining council for a new hearing after the city had initially sought exemption from a 3.5% wage increase for the 2021/22 period.

The court also ruled that the city is exempt from implementing a 5.4% wage increase for the 2023/24 financial year, citing financial constraints.

Both Samwu and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) have since approached the Labour Appeal Court, seeking permission to appeal the ruling on the 5.4% wage increase.

DA chief whip in Tshwane Jacqui Uys reacted to the latest bargaining council ruling by urging the city to take the decision on judicial review at the Labour Court. She warned that failing to do so could undermine the city's financial recovery efforts.

She noted that the ruling acknowledged the significant financial impact of the 3.5% backdated pay increase, describing it as "very huge". As a result, the city has been given six months to implement the award.