Trade union federation Cosatu’s march to demand that City of Tshwane employees be paid wage increases turned sour on Friday afternoon because the City manager could not accept a memorandum due to an unruly crowd.
Around 1 000 Cosatu and affiliate union members marched to both the National Treasury and Tshwane House on Friday. The union delivered a memorandum to Treasury addressing budget cuts in public spending in light of the country’s rising cost of living.
When the protesters got at Tshwane House, they attempted to hand over a memorandum to Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, demanding that employees who had been fired due to the recent strike be reinstated.
They also demand that the City fund the wage hikes. Brink, on the other hand, did not appear to accept the memoranda.
The City’s decision to withhold salary increases from its employees due to its terrible financial circumstances was followed by Cosatu’s demands.
Due to this, the City submitted a request for an exception to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council, but it was denied. The City has decided to proceed with the Labour Court review.
As a result of the City’s choice, there were multiple violent occurrences, including the burning down of City property and the intimidation of personnel. The management of the City argues that it is in financial trouble, but the unions say there is enough money to cover the raises.
