Waste management company employees took their anger to the streets

The workers complained that their working environment was unsatisfactory and that the R1 000 increase they were promised came to nothing. They were instead offered R160 increase.

They also raised complaints about what they described as “bad treatment and unreasonable working hours”.

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To express their anger, the workers thrashed the streets of Phake Section with garbage as a way of forcing management to listen to their grievances.

Employees’ spokesperson Xolile Mojalefa said they were promised an increase of more than R1 000 by the company director, Thabang Kgomo, but he had failed to keep his promise. Instead, he only gave them an increase of R160.

“This is an insult to us. Other than failing to keep his promise, he has failed our families by not paying for the funeral cover of one of our members who died. Every month the company deducts money from our salaries, claiming the money is for funeral cover,” Mojalefa told Kathorus MAIL.

Some of the workers’ grievances include:

• Holiday and weekends benefits which the workers are entitled to, but do not receive.

• Permanent employment after a temporary service of six months.

• Decent working hours and overtime pay.

• Failure of the company to ensure they enjoy Ekurhuleni municipality benefits.

However, Kgomo said as far as he was aware, striking workers were expected back at work after having met with Ekurhuleni MMC for Environment and Waste Management Khosi Mabaso to resolve their grievances.

“What I know is that employees who are on strike met with Mabaso, MMC of Environment and Waste Management in Ekurhuleni. They resolved the matter and are expected back at work soon,” said Kgomo.

Mojalefa disputed the claim by Kgomo, arguing that there has not been any formal and written agreement with Mabaso.

Mabaso agreed they had a meeting with the employees, where she, head of the department for Waste Management Mandisa Phosa, representatives from Waste Management South, representatives from Germiston and Katlehong, representatives from the Community Policing Forum and representatives from the employees were in attendance.

She said the employees needed clarity on their annual salary percentage increase and the existing contract between the City and the development contractor (main contractor) for the area.

“The employees were requested to go back to work and urged to resolve their grievances through formal processes,” Mabaso told Kathorus MAIL.

She also said a follow-up meeting will be arranged to deal with outstanding issues raised.

Meanwhile, local residents said they have been adversely affected by the strike action. A spokesperson for the residents Sihle Mthimkhulu pleaded with employees to stop littering the street as their action was becoming unbearable.

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“I wish employees can resolve the matter with their employers and get back to work immediately as the debris-littered in our streets may have an adverse health impact on the residents,” said Mthimkhulu.

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