Workers continue strike despite interdict
BRAAMFONTEIN – The interdict did not stop Pikitup workers affiliated to Samwu from striking.
City of Joburg’s waste management entity, Pikitup, obtained an interdict to stop its employees from protesting against alleged poor working conditions, overtime payments and salary increment.
This, however, did not stop the workers affiliated to South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) as they protested again on 25 November at the company’s offices in Braamfontein, leaving massive trash on the streets.
The entity’s spokesperson Jacky Mushapu explained that they would apply the ‘no work no pay’ principle and would consult the union’s national leadership about the implications of the court interdict.
“We need to make them aware of the consequences of their actions. We have called law enforcement agencies to control the protest as our morning meeting with the union did not materialise,” said Mushapu.
He further warned the residents of Joburg to keep their bins inside the yard as there would be no refuse collection.
https://t.co/By0KBr5HQV | Police fire rubber bullets at striking Pikitup workers in Joburg https://t.co/PzheGMuYFF
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@ANN7tv Altercation between the police and #Pikitup employees pic.twitter.com/fhlWdXkvmp
— Natasha Nokuthula Phiri (@NatashaN_Phiri) November 25, 2015
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JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar confirmed they had extinguished the fire which was started by Pikitup employees. “We manage to disperse those people,” said Minnaar.
Samwu Joburg regional chairperson explained the union wanted to meet with the management and the company’s managing director Amanda Nair. “We want this matter to be resolved but they are hiding behind court interdict. We are consolidated and we maintained our position about our grievances,” he concluded.
Details: Pikitup, 011 712 9299; SAMWU, 082 555 1461.
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