Key Takeaways
- The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has submitted a 27-point memorandum to the City of Ekurhuleni, demanding urgent action on long-standing labour grievances.
- The union represents over 10,000 workers across the municipality and is seeking resolution on issues such as payment of acting allowances, compensation for Covid-19 risks, and implementation of arbitration awards.
- Samwu has given the City of Ekurhuleni 14 working days to respond to the demands, which must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- The union is seeking improvements in working conditions, including provision of personal protective equipment, decentralization of PPE, and filling of vacant positions.
- Samwu is also demanding an end to unfair labour practices, including victimization of union members and shop stewards, and transparency in recruitment of senior management.
Introduction to the Labour Dispute
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in the Koena Ramotlou region recently marched to the City of Ekurhuleni to hand over a detailed memorandum demanding urgent action on long-standing labour grievances. Hundreds of workers gathered outside the city’s offices, expressing their frustration and disappointment with the municipality’s failure to address their concerns. The union represents more than 10,000 workers across the municipality, and their patience has been tested to the extreme after years of unresolved issues raised in the local labour forum, bilateral meetings, and written correspondence.
Demands and Grievances
In a 27-point memorandum addressed to mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and city manager Kagiso Lerutla, Samwu accused the municipality of failing to honour agreements, ignoring arbitration awards, and exposing workers to unfair labour practices. The key demands include encashment of leave days, payment of acting allowances, compensation for Covid-19 risks, and implementation of the Gauteng conditions arbitration award. The union is also seeking adjustments to salary disparities, rank promotion, and danger allowance for all qualifying employees. Furthermore, Samwu is demanding the separation of bonus from normal salary, stoppage of the formation of business units, and insourcing of cleaners and security guards.
Working Conditions and Employee Welfare
The union is also seeking improvements in working conditions, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools of trade each financial year. Decentralization of PPE to depots, with procurement reflecting employee input, is also a key demand. Samwu is seeking the appointment of 140 Dems reservists as firefighters with full benefits and the conversion of traffic wardens to metro police. The union is also demanding repairs and maintenance of fleet and facilities, with proper budgeting aligned to Municipal Finance Management Act requirements. Additionally, Samwu is seeking the filling of vacant positions to strengthen service delivery and accountability.
Unfair Labour Practices and Transparency
Samwu is also demanding an end to unfair labour practices, including victimization of union members and shop stewards. The union is seeking transparency in recruitment of senior management and inclusion of Samwu in the process. Proper alignment of political and administrative roles, preventing political interference in administrative matters, is also a key demand. Samwu is seeking the scrapping of experience requirements for entry-level posts to open opportunities for young graduates. The union is also demanding the provision and reinstatement of bursaries for employees, supported by a dedicated budget.
Response and Next Steps
The City of Ekurhuleni acknowledged receipt of the memorandum, and Samwu has given the municipality 14 working days to formally respond to all the demands. The union expects a response that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Union members said their frustrations stem from years of stalled negotiations and what they describe as a growing disconnect between political leadership, municipal management, and the workforce that keeps the city running. The outcome of this labour dispute will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the working conditions and welfare of municipal workers in Ekurhuleni.