SAMWU CONDEMNS RAND WATER’S DESPICABLE BETRAYAL OF WORKERS
26 June 2025
SAMWU CONDEMNS RAND WATER’S DESPICABLE BETRAYAL OF WORKERS
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) expresses its profound disgust and outright condemnation of Rand Water’s audacious decision to renege on the recently concluded salary and wage collective agreement. Just yesterday, June 25, 2025, after extensive negotiations within the Amanzi Bargaining Council, a binding agreement was reached, promising a well-deserved 7% salary increase for dedicated workers in the water sector.
It is an absolute affront to collective bargaining and a slap in the face to every worker that, a mere day after this agreement was signed, Rand Water management had the audacity to issue a memo declaring their intention to disregard it entirely. This move is nothing short of a direct provocation to the thousands of workers who have, year after year, tirelessly served Rand Water with unquestionable dedication, ensuring the continuous supply of vital water to municipalities and industries throughout Gauteng province.
Throughout the negotiation process, Rand Water’s own representatives repeatedly boasted about the entity’s financial robustness and strong economic standing. For a party to participate in negotiations from start to finish, only to then insult its workforce in such a blatant manner, is an act of unparalleled contempt. This demonstrates a shocking lack of integrity and an utter disregard for the very people who are the backbone of their operations.
This arbitrary decision by Rand Water is not just a breach of contract, it is a profound act of disrespect to the entire labour movement and undermines the very principles of fair negotiation. It sends a chilling message that agreements can be discarded on a whim, eroding trust and stability within the workplace. We will not allow Rand Water to set such a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes the hard-won rights of workers across all sectors.
SAMWU will not stand idly by and allow Rand Water to strip workers of this hard-won gain. We reassure our members at Rand Water that we will activate our legal team immediately to prepare a robust challenge against this illogical and legally indefensible attempt at exemption. We remain convinced, based on Rand Water’s own assurances during negotiations, that the entity possesses the financial muscle to honour this agreement. This fight has just begun, and Rand Water will be held accountable for its shameful actions.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Dumisane Magagula
General Secretary
076 580 4029
Or
Nkhetheni Muthavhi
Deputy General Secretary
082 526 5224