SAMWU CALLS OFF STRIKE SOL PLAATJE STRIKE FOLLOWING LLF AGREEMENT
12 November 2025
SAMWU CALLS OFF STRIKE SOL PLAATJE STRIKE FOLLOWING LLF AGREEMENT
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Northern Cape province confirms that the municipal strike scheduled to commence on 12 November 2025 has been officially called off following a decisive victory for workers’ rights reached this afternoon.
Our battle was fought on the principle of dignity. Municipal workers demanded justice for the non-implementation of a critical Local Labour Forum (LLF) resolution from May 2025, a resolution promising the absorption of 497 long-serving contract workers. When our members sought answers on Monday morning in a peaceful demonstration, their legitimate protest was met not with dialogue, but with the brutal force of the police, resulting in the deplorable arrest of one of our comrades. Only through the swift intervention of the SAMWU legal team was our member released on warning.
The special session of the Local Labour Forum, attended by SAMWU Provincial and Regional leadership, IMATU, Council and Management representatives, and crucially, the Executive Mayor, Ms. Babarah Barlett, concluded with a major breakthrough.
The agreement reached this afternoon is an affirmation of the power of organised labour, it guarantees the permanent absorption, in phases, of the 497 employees who have dedicated years of their lives to the service of the municipality.
Furthermore, the meeting has agreed to regular, constructive engagements between management and organised labour, laying the foundation for labour stability and respectful relations going forward.
SAMWU strongly condemns the police brutality witnessed on Monday. We stand firmly with our member who suffered at the hands of those sworn to protect, and we demand that the South African Police Service takes full and immediate responsibility for its unwarranted assault on a harmless municipal worker.
The SAMWU will not rest until this hard-won victory is fully realised. We will continuously monitor the implementation of this agreement and have called on the Human Resources Sub-Committee to verify the list of affected employees to ensure every single contract worker receives the justice they are owed.
This outcome is a testament to the courage and solidarity of the municipal workers of Sol Plaatje. We fought, and we won!
Issued by SAMWU Northern Cape
Pieter Demas
Provincial Secretary
0712691470
Or
Thobeka Mthintelwa
Deputy Provincial Secretary
076 329 8860