Workers in the eThekwini Municipality have vowed to take their fight for "fair pay" to the Constitutional Court if necessary. They are demanding to be paid in line with the municipality's metro category, rather than the current Category 8. The workers, who marched to the city last Friday and plan another march for Thursday, claim they have been waiting for years for their salaries to be upgraded.
The dispute centers on the recognition of eThekwini municipality as a Category 10 municipality, which would reflect its status as a metropolitan municipality providing almost every service. The workers argue that they should be paid at rates applicable to other metros, citing the city's economically active status. A worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that some employees who should have benefited from the upgrade have either resigned or died while waiting.
According to the workers, a previous commitment was made to adjust salaries by the end of August, but nothing has happened. The workers claim they were told that overtime would be cut by 50% and bonuses usually paid in December would be lost, in exchange for a R3 000 top-up, which they have not received. This has led to frustration and a decision to take action, including potential legal steps.
The workers plan to escalate their action, starting with marching, then approaching the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), followed by the Labour Court, and if necessary, the Constitutional Court. They expressed uncertainty about the cause of the delays, stating that the municipality has not clarified whether budget constraints are the reason.
Queen Mbatha, leader of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), acknowledged the frustration among union members but stated that the issue is being handled at a national level. She mentioned that negotiations have concluded, and the facilitator's proposals have been issued to the parties, which IMATU is currently analyzing.
Despite the ongoing dispute, eThekwini Municipality's marketing and communications spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, declined to comment on the issue, citing the municipality's policy of not engaging in labor relations matters through the media. Instead, these matters are addressed through statutory platforms, such as the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC).
The eThekwini workers' dispute highlights the complexities of municipal categorization and its impact on employee salaries. The outcome of their actions and the response from the municipality will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for similar disputes in other municipalities. The workers remain determined to achieve their goal of being paid according to the municipality's metro category.
Key points
- eThekwini Municipality workers plan to take legal action if their demands for pay based on metro category are not met.
- The dispute centers on the recognition of eThekwini as a Category 10 municipality, reflecting its status as a metropolitan municipality.
- The workers claim they have been waiting for years for their salaries to be upgraded, with some employees who should have benefited either resigning or dying while waiting.
