WATER taps could run dry countrywide should workers in the water sector go ahead with their threat to strike next week.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) says it is waiting for a mandate from its members to go on a strike after salary increase talks with the South Africa Association of Water Utilities (Saawu) reached a deadlock.
Saawu represents water boards such as Rand Water, Umgeni Water, Overberg and Namakwa.
Samwu's spokesperson Tahir Sema said yesterday members had already indicated their willingness to strike after Saawu refused to improve on their offer of 8percent for the highest paid to 10percent for the lowest paid workers.
Samwu has rejected the offers and is demanding 13,5percent for the lowest paid and 11percent for the highest paid workers.
Saawu chief executive Ntombenhle Thombeni said the bargaining council directed parties to arbitration, not strike.
"It is disappointing that the union has seen it necessary to encourage a strike, but as the provision of water is an essential service, and employees signed to that effect, we feel confident that this will be honoured by workers and the service will continue unabated should a strike take place," said Thombeni.
She said Saawu was mindful of its role within the water sector and was working with water utilities to ensure wage negotiations were progressing to reach a satisfactory conclusion to avert the strike.
"We used the buying power of our money as a point of reference," said Thombeni. "This year the CPI is now at 4,6percent and indications are that it will continue going down. That is where we based our salary increment percentage."
Taps may run dry if workers down tools
WATER taps could run dry countrywide should workers in the water sector go ahead with their threat to strike next week.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) says it is waiting for a mandate from its members to go on a strike after salary increase talks with the South Africa Association of Water Utilities (Saawu) reached a deadlock.
Saawu represents water boards such as Rand Water, Umgeni Water, Overberg and Namakwa.
Samwu's spokesperson Tahir Sema said yesterday members had already indicated their willingness to strike after Saawu refused to improve on their offer of 8percent for the highest paid to 10percent for the lowest paid workers.
Samwu has rejected the offers and is demanding 13,5percent for the lowest paid and 11percent for the highest paid workers.
Saawu chief executive Ntombenhle Thombeni said the bargaining council directed parties to arbitration, not strike.
"It is disappointing that the union has seen it necessary to encourage a strike, but as the provision of water is an essential service, and employees signed to that effect, we feel confident that this will be honoured by workers and the service will continue unabated should a strike take place," said Thombeni.
She said Saawu was mindful of its role within the water sector and was working with water utilities to ensure wage negotiations were progressing to reach a satisfactory conclusion to avert the strike.
"We used the buying power of our money as a point of reference," said Thombeni. "This year the CPI is now at 4,6percent and indications are that it will continue going down. That is where we based our salary increment percentage."
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