- SALGBC dismisses Tshwane’s exemption application, orders backdated wage increases within six months, commissioner rejects City's affordability claim.
- SAMWU calls the ruling a victory for justice and demands the reinstatement of dismissed workers; collective bargaining is described as essential.
- City confirms it will review implications of ruling, municipal workers await compliance, further wage dispute is headed to the Labour Appeal Court.
After years of uncertainty and hardship, municipal workers in Tshwane have achieved a significant victory.
The South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) dismissed the City of Tshwane’s exemption application, confirming that the City must implement the 2021/2022 Salary and Wage Collective Agreement and pay all backdated salary adjustments within six months.
The SA Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) praised the ruling, calling it “a triumph of justice over executive arrogance and a validation of the workers’ dignity.” The union stressed the real-world impact, saying, “For years, while the City played endless legal games, workers in Tshwane and their families have been subjected to severe and unjust economic hardship. These delays forced our members to face soaring costs of living without the crucial salary adjustments that were legally due to them.”
Economic hardship and the commissioner’s ruling
The commissioner made it clear that the City had not proven it could not afford the increases. SAMWU said, “The SALGBC’s finding strikes at the heart of the matter that the City failed to prove unaffordability and instead chose to prioritise massive increases in non-essential spending, such as inflated contracted services, over the livelihoods of its own dedicated workforce.” The union also welcomed the finding that “no deliberate, politically motivated budget omission can be allowed to violate a legally binding contract.”
According to SAMWU, this marks the second time the City has failed to avoid its obligations. “The SALGBC has now, unequivocally and for the second time, upheld the rights of workers, directing the City to pay workers the overdue 3.5% salary increases that were supposed to take effect in July 2021,” the union said.
Reinstatement and City response
SAMWU made an urgent demand for the “immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the 41 workers who were unfairly and improperly dismissed for demanding these very increases that have now been fully vindicated by the SALGBC.” The union called this reinstatement “non-negotiable and a necessary act of healing to restore trust.”
The City of Tshwane’s Group Head of Communication, Marketing and Events, Selby Bokaba, confirmed receipt of the ruling. “The City received the exemption application arbitration award today. The City Manager, along with the Executive, will consider all aspects of the implications of the award, and thereafter communicate their decision,” Bokaba said.
He added, “The award requires compliance with the 2021/2022 Salary and Wage Collective Agreement and making all necessary adjustments and payments within six months.”
Next steps in the wage dispute
SAMWU confirmed it is continuing the fight for a further 5.4% wage increase. “We have appointed an even stronger legal team for the matter before the Labour Appeal Court,” the union stated. “Our resolve is strong, and we believe the union will be victorious in that matter as well. SAMWU will continue to stand as the advocate for every municipal worker, ensuring that justice is not just promised, but delivered.”
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