TRAFFIC in the CBD yesterday was affected by striking municipal workers from the city’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
On Friday, Cleansing and Solid Waste employees downed tools leaving the streets of the CBD littered with uncollected refuse bags and litter.
Striking staff demanded full-time employment.
Negotiations between the city and the strikers commenced and after extensive consultations with the EPWP employees on Sunday, 7 January it was agreed that staff would return to work with immediate effect.
However, on Monday morning there was chaos as Cleansing and Solid Waste employees were prevented from conducting their duties by striking City’s Expanded Public Works Programme employees who demanded full-time employment.
The municipality has since given all striking employees an ultimatum to resume duties or have their contracts terminated today, 9 January. In the meantime, the municipality has assured residents employees will work around the clock to ensure that normal waste collection resumes.
The municipality has reassured residents that its recycling programme has not closed, but that household collections have been interrupted while recycling partner, MPACT repairs structural damage to its recycling plant caused by the October storms. It has been unable to accept orange bags since December.
Recycling contractors have had to find other alternative sites to store and sort orange bags. Contractors responsible for Durban North, Far North and South Central areas have reported to Durban Solid Waste (DSW) that that they will not be able to pick up recycling bags since they have run out of space.
Assistance has been requested from DSW Operations to assist by collecting the recycling bags in the areas affected.
Contractors are expected to resume recycling bags collection from 15 January 2018.
