Cape Town - Following five months of protracted municipal wage negotiations, the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) conciliator has recommended that all municipal employees receive an increase of 3.5% backdated to July 1, 2021.
The conciliator also said that different categories of employees should receive an additional once-off non-pensionable cash allowance.
The conciliator’s recommendations came after a two-day extended conciliation session in Durban last week.
South African Local Government Association (Salga) spokesperson Sivuyile Mbambato said: “We are optimistic that the process has moved to an advanced stage, compared to where it all started in March 2021.
“The essence of the conciliator’s recommendations is that it advocates a multi-year agreement and inflation-linked increases. It also comes with elements of cost containment measures in areas around employee costs in municipalities.
“Salga hopes this development will go a long way in cementing the labour relations, so that the sector can return to more pressing matters such as continuing the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, working on improving the financial recovery of municipalities and fast-tracking service delivery,” said Mbambato.
Parties involved in the dispute including Salga and the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union (Imatu) were expected to make submissions to the SALGBC yesterday.
When the dispute first went for conciliation, Mayor Dan Plato said the City had told Salga that it could not afford salary increases given the tough economic times and the dire state of the South African economy exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
Plato also said there would be no performance bonuses for senior staff and management.
On Monday, City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said: “The conciliation process has been extended to August 31, 2021 and the parties have been given an opportunity to consult with their constituencies.
"The City can only comment once this process has been concluded,” said Tyhalibongo.