Labour Court ruling sparks controversy over wage hikes for Tshwane municipal workers

MUNICIPAL workers’ labour unions have expressed disappointment over the May 9 Labour Court ruling that exempted the City of Tshwane from implementing a 5.4% wage increase for the 2023/24 financial year.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

The court also ruled that the City’s exemption application regarding the 3.5% wage increase for the 2021/22 financial year should be reconsidered by a different exemption panellist, to be appointed by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC).

The City approached the court two years ago after its application for exemption from a wage agreement with the unions was rejected by the bargaining council.

The City argued in one of its applications that implementing the wage agreement, without an exemption, would require it to spend R489 million on increases, violating the Municipal Finance Management Act.