The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) said on Friday it is preparing to strike after wage negotiations between them and their employer failed.

The union said once it gets the legal green light around 6000 of its members will down tools as early as Monday.

The South African Association of Water Utilities refused the union’s request of a 13 percent increase for the lowest paid workers and an 11 percent increase for the highest paid. It is offering nine percent.

Samwu’s Tahir Sema said, “Workers have indicated that they are now frustrated with the employer body and a certificate has been issued for workers to go on strike and the unions mobilising these workers.”

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)