The broad functions or purpose of the Council are to conclude collective agreements for the local government sector and enforce such collective agreements and to provide a dispute resolution function for the local government sector. This bargaining council is a registered government bargaining council. The SALGBC is established voluntarily in terms of the Labour Relations Act, by agreement between the employer organization (SALGA) and trade unions parties (IMATU and SAMWU). This agreement is contained in the Council’s Constitution (a collective agreement), which is the fundamental governing instrument that regulates the relationship between the employer organization and the trade union parties, to be read in conjunction with the Labour Relations Act.