Workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) downed tools on Wednesday , demanding to be paid according to the last notch of grade 7 salary scale. In January a special council meeting of the Rustenburg local municipality resolved to approve the implementation of grade 7 salary scale. Municipal workers welcomed the council’s resolution with high expectations. It turned out that some workers would receive an annual increase of about R162. According to the job evaluation report a groundsman annual salary will be R166 770.40 from R166 608. Angry workers shut down Missionary Mpheni building which is the seat of the municipality with burning tyres. Shopsteward Bushy Mafora said the municipality implemented the first notch of grade 7 salary scale instead of the last notch and that angered the workers. “Grade 7 was supposed to be implemented in 2010 by now workers should receive the last notch of grade 7 salary level. At this rate it means we have to wait for another 10 years before we get the last notch.” He said the lowest paid worker was expected to be paid about R3400 which was the difference between the current salary and the last notch of grade 7. “In the current form, it means (lowest paid) workers get an increase of about R17. We did not go on strike for R17. We demand to be paid the last notch of grade 7,” he said. “The lowest paid workers should be paid R17 500.” Furious workers said they had high salary expectations and were disappointed to see that they would have less money paid to them. “I am not happy, the municipality in January raised our expectation stating that the implementation of grade 7 will improve the financial situation of workers,” said one worker, Amon Mcube. Following the council resolution in January, to implement grade 7, executive mayor Shiela Mabale-Huma said the implementation of grade 7 would improve the financial security of workers. “This implementation represents a significant step towards improving the livelihoods, financial security, and morale of affected employees,” she said in a statement. “Through the implementation of Grade 7 employees will benefit from improved salary scales, enhanced benefits, and greater job recognition, which will contribute positively to their ability to support their families, meet daily living costs, and plan for a more stable future. “This intervention also promotes dignity in the workplace and affirms the municipality’s commitment to fair and equitable treatment of its workforce.” While workers took to the streets to push for their demand the municipality issued an ultimatum instructing workers to return to work as their strike was not protected. Acting municipal manager Godfrey Ditsele said if workers do not return to work, the municipality would approach the labour court to interdict the strike and they risk being fired. The municipality said the strike has impacted the delivery of essential municipal services, including water, electricity, waste removal, and licensing services. “The municipality is actively engaging with relevant labour unions and employee representatives to address the issues raised. Management remains committed to constructive dialogue and is working towards an amicable resolution in the interest of employees, residents, and all stakeholders,” the municipality said in a statement released by the office of the executive mayor. Workers said they would not go back to work, explaining that they did not go on strike over the years for R17. They had over the years staged numerous protests in push for the implementation of grade 7 salary scale. Post navigation Former Taung councillor joins provincial legislature
