Municipal workers settle wage dispute

Johannesburg - A wage agreement has been reached for employees in the local government sector, the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) said on Thursday.

The agreement would be signed on Friday by Imatu, the SA Municipal Workers Union and the SA Local Government Association.

"This multi-year wage agreement is an example of what can be achieved when parties are committed to achieving a swift and amicable outcome," said Imatu spokesperson Johan Koen.

The negotiation process had been "long and often intense" but the parties were able to reach an agreement without declaring a dispute or resorting to industrial action, the union said.