Public sector wage talks stutter

Cape Town - The Fedusa-affiliated Independent Municipal Trade Union (Imatu) has resolved to join the Cosatu-affiliated SA Muncipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in declaring a dispute with the local government association (Salga).

Samwu on Monday issued a statement to this effect, and Imatu plans to follow suit either later on Tuesday or early on Wednesday.

As a result, the fourth round of pay and conditions talks has been cancelled and the bargaining council will now appoint a mediator to arbitrate the deadlock. The major sticking point seems to be the question of a housing allowance, although there have been indications from Salga that a revised pay offer may be possible.

The unions have demanded an 11% increase while Salga refused to budge from its 5.9% offer to workers in the country’s 284 muncipalities.

According to union negotiators, Salga - aware that there is considerable turmoil in Samwu ranks - initially resolved to “play hard ball”.