City says it will not tolerate unlawful strikes

THE eThekwini Municipality has released an urgent statement regarding the strike of their municipal workers who have taken to the streets to protest for payment of performance bonuses. The City says they have urged law enforcement not to tolerate acts of lawlessness and criminality in strikes that are not in keeping with the laws of the country and the Constitution.

This follows an unauthorised march by about 500 of the City’s 25 000-strong workforce.

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“The ‘no work, no pay and no benefits’ principle will apply to employees who participate in the unauthorised protest action.

The grievances that the workers have must be resolved at the Bargaining Council as negotiations are currently underway in relation to the conditions of service and payment of performance bonuses.

According to the statement: “The City calls upon leaders of organised labour, with whom the City leadership have a very good working relationship, to reign in their members so that law and order prevail at all times.”

The municipality has further called for effective intervention and communication by all parties to avoid the risk of undermining the collective bargaining processes set up to create industrial peace and resolve all disputes.

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Adding to that, the statement said, “Any unlawful behaviour will invite law enforcement agencies to step in and deal with lawlessness.”

The municipality appeals for the continuation of constructive engagements so that all parties ‘find one another’ so to minimise the impact on communities and the delivery of much-needed services.

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