IMATU is a young, vibrant and most progressive trade union operating in the municipal and allied sector of the South African workplace. As one of the fastest growing unions in the country, we represent members across all municipalities in South Africa, from the largest metropolitan city core to the rural “platteland” of the country. Wherever a local municipality or district municipality exists, you are bound to find a local branch of IMATU. IMATU might be a young trade union (we were formed on 8 March 1996 at the inaugural congress in Bloemfontein), and anyone who lacks knowledge about the background of the formation of the union might be momentarily pardoned for thinking it lacks experience. Not so- the formation of the union “IMATU” stems from the amalgamation of The South African Association of Municipal Employees (SAAME), the Johannesburg Municipal Employees Association (JMEA), the National Union of Employees of Local Authorities (NUELA), the Durban Municipal Employees Association (DMES) and the South African Local Authorities and Allied Workers Union (SALAAWU). IMATU shop stewards and staff are empowered and qualified to render service to our members on all aspects of administration, finance and the law of labour relations at the workplace. IMATU offers a home to all levels of employment and because we are not politically aligned to any party in South Africa, we can focus on the one central goal we have adopted in our dynamic, democratic constitution: excellence in service delivery to our members. IMATU was established on 8 March 1996, at the Inaugural Congress, in Bloemfontein, as a fully-fledged successor of the unions mentioned below: Durban Municipal Employees Association (DMES) Johannesburg Municipal Employees Association (JMEA) National Union of Employees of Local Authorities (NUELA) South African Association of Municipal Employees (SAAME) South African Local Authorities and Allied Workers Union (SALAAWU)
