Sources within the trade union movement assert that the hopes of eThekwini workers for back pay resulting from the city's salary comparison process are unfounded, as organized labor rejects the mediator's report on the wage curve.
Union representatives, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue, made these statements amid growing tension with workers who accuse the unions of letting them down.
City workers recently began protests, stating their readiness to take their fight to the Constitutional Court for fair pay and benefits. Union members explained that workers are confusing the comparison process—which was created to determine if other metropolises pay their employees more—with the current process aimed at resolving several issues, including the wage curve.
A source reported that eThekwini workers remain focused on the comparison process, which may not be implemented and has been superseded by developments. 'Workers believe they will benefit from this process because other metropolises pay their workers more, and therefore, they should be paid more too. They think they will get payments for the past period because the implementation of the process took too long. But none of this will happen,' stated a union member.
He added that although the comparison was conducted after the 2024 strike and showed that some metropolises pay their workers more, this was not due to them being metropolises but rather due to other negotiations. He stressed that this comparison process is now 'dead.'
The union member noted that the key process that could benefit workers was recently concluded between the unions and the municipalities under the observation of a mediator appointed by the negotiating council. The mediator's conclusion has been released, causing dissatisfaction among all unions, and they plan to reject it. The report discussed various issues, including the wage curve of workers.
'The main problem is that it is not mandatory. The municipality can simply state that it does not have the money and not implement it. We cannot negotiate for five years to reach such an agreement. If the municipality does not have the money, it should apply for exemption, not just state that it lacks the funds to implement the agreement. This is one of the main problems that the unions reject. Another issue is that it takes away some benefits from the workers,' said the source.
eThekwini employees participating in the equal pay protest stated that the unions had not discussed this issue with them. They also reported that they did not expect to hear from the unions, as they no longer trust them. 'The unions told us too many lies, and we no longer trust them. That's why we don't expect anything from them on this matter. Many of us even left the unions because we simply no longer trust them,' they stated.
One worker warned that if it is confirmed that they will receive no financial benefit, they will intensify their struggle. 'We have studied the salaries of employees in other municipal areas, and there cannot be a difference of thousands of rands in salary. If that is truly the case, we will continue to fight and intensify our efforts to get what we want,' the worker said.
The eThekwini municipality previously stated that it would not discuss its employees' labor relations through the media. Khvin Mbatata from the Independent Municipal and Union Trade Union (IMATU) confirmed that the union received the mediator's report. 'We have received the report. While we interact with the relevant structure regarding it, we cannot hide the fact that we reject it because it could deprive workers of benefits.' She declined further comment and announced that a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the matter. She confirmed that discussions on the comparison issue have concluded.