STRIKE UPDATE: No resolution to the municipal strike

Spokesperson for the GTM, Neville Ndlala issued the following press release

Update on SAMWU’S INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) are currently embarking in an industrial action and all their members have temporarily withdrawn their services to the municipality as of Monday 13th of October.

They are demanding that pay disparities in the municipality be addressed as a matter of urgency. The leadership of the municipality agree with the union that salary disparities must be addressed but differ in terms of the approach that must be employed in arriving at a solution that is both sustainable and reasonable.

As things stand the parties have been unable to reach an amicable solution to the matter, however negotiations are ongoing and both political leadership and management of the municipality have put aside all matters to solely focus on speedily resolving the matter.

We have been negotiating with SAWMU for some time and we have remained transparent and accessible to the Union. On, Monday, 08 September 2014, SAMWU embarked on another industrial action regarding the same matter, however it was agreed that processes and procedures had to be followed and adhered to.

Management and leadership of SAMWU agreed that a service provider must be appointed to investigate the matter and provide a report with recommendations on how to resolve the matter.

As per that agreement Mafa Attorneys and Labour Law Practitioners was appointed to conduct an investigation into the matter and make recommendations.

Management acknowledges the negative impact that the ongoing industrial action has on the functioning of the municipality. The impact on the financial state of the municipality and the intimidation of workers who are willing to continue with normal service has also been noted.

We have engaged the South African Police Services to keep an eye on the situation to prevent violence and damage to property. While appreciating and recognizing the constitutional rights of workers to strike, we however call on them to protest peacefully and to avoid damage to property. During this strike the principle of “no work no pay” will be applied.

We apologize to all residents and all our clients for any inconvenience which is as a result of this industrial action. We have noted the blockading and trashing of some streets in the central business district (CBD) as well as the sabotage of our water services to our communities. We are engaging the union representatives to call on their membership to refrain from these acts and to observe the rules of engagement.

Management and the union representatives have agreed that essential services will continue unhindered as stipulated in the Labour Relations Act, with a skeletal staff. Residents who might find it difficult to access our paypoints for water and lights in the various municipal offices are advised to use Easypay outlets such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Checkers, as well as banking institutions and online banking payments systems.

We are considering all available avenues to bring a speedy resolution to the dispute and we are hoping that normal service will resume as soon as possible. Members of the public will be updated on regular basis. We will do our best to ensure that the strike doesn’t inconvenience you as our valued customers.