IMATU, SAMWU accept City of Tshwane backpay deal

Trade unions representing workers in the Tshwane Municipality begrudgingly accepted a deal that will see the city’s employees receive backpay owed to them from four years ago.

In 2022, the municipality refused to implement a previously agreed-upon 3.5% salary increase for all its employees, citing the city’s poor financial standing at the time.

However, at a media briefing on Thursday, the municipality announced the increases would finally be paid out in a staggered approach over the next three financial years.

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The Tshwane Municipality said paying a lump sum of the backdated salary increases would have set it back R1.5 billion.

However, the municipality was able to negotiate the amount down to R1 billion, which will be paid over three financial years.

The regional chairperson for the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), Melita Baloyi, said compromises had to be made for the sake of progress.

“We know that not all our members are happy with this agreement as the backpay excludes backpay on benefits and the once-off payment secured in 2021,” said Baloyi.

Regional chairperson for the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU), Lehlohonolo Maphatsoe, also commented on the deal.

“We want to tell our members that this was the best possible option we could take,” said Maphatsoe.

The first tranche of backdated increases will be paid at the start of next month.