SAMWU UPDATE ON CITY OF TSHWANE CCMA SECTION 150

30 June 2025

SAMWU UPDATE ON CITY OF TSHWANE CCMA SECTION 150

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) and the City of Tshwane convened under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on 23 June 2025, to engage on the process towards the finalisation of the long-outstanding 3.5% salary increase for municipal workers. This engagement follows a ruling by Judge Snyman, who ordered that the City of Tshwane’s 2021/22 application for exemption from implementing the 3.5% increase be remitted to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) for a fresh hearing.

The SALGBC has scheduled the exemption hearing for 21 July 2025. In anticipation of this, the parties recognised the need for prior engagements aimed at narrowing the issues in dispute and exploring the possibility of reaching a settlement, which could subsequently be formalised as an award of the Bargaining Council. To this end, two meetings were held between SAMWU and the City of Tshwane on 10 June and 23 June 2025 respectively. While consensus could not be reached during these initial engagements, both parties agreed on the importance of continued dialogue prior to the scheduled hearing. SAMWU remains committed to these engagements in the hope of securing an amicable resolution in the best interest of workers.

The Union remains relentless in its position that the 3.5% salary increase, owed to workers since 2021, must be honoured. The prolonged delay in payment has imposed significant financial strain on municipal workers, who continue to provide essential services under increasingly difficult conditions. In this regard, SAMWU’s legal team is diligently preparing for the exemption hearing, with the aim of securing a just outcome for our members.

Additionally, members are advised that SAMWU has formally lodged an appeal against Judge Snyman’s ruling on the 5.4% salary increase matter. We await the allocation of a date by the Labour Appeal Court in this regard.

It must be emphasised that the City of Tshwane is on record confirming the availability of funds to honour its obligations to employees. Given the acute financial pressures facing workers, SAMWU calls on the City to act with integrity and urgency by prioritising the well-being of its workforce. Our members have carried the burden of austerity for far too long it is time the City of Tshwane does right by them.

The Union will continue to update its members on the developments of this CCMA intervention.

Issued by SAMWU Tshwane Region
Donald Monakisi
Regional Secretary
066 591 4548

Or

Simon Leburu
Deputy Regional Secretary
0836723944