UPDATE: No work no pay for Pikitup, as strike turns violent

Nine people were injured in the afternoon of 24 November when the Pikitup protest action turned violent in Bertha Street in Braamfontein.

According to ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring, paramedics were called to the scene, and on arrival, found nine patients sitting on the nearby sidewalk.

He explained that paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported them to a nearby hospital for further assessment. “It is understood that the patients sustained these injuries during an apparent protest action,” he concluded.

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Pikitup spokesperson Jacky Mashapu said the company will institute the principle of no work no pay and will also lock out employees participating in the illegal work stoppage.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that services are restored as soon as possible. Management remains open to address concerns of employees and organised labour, but for that to happen, workers must first go back to work, and are encouraged to make use of the established process for engagement,” he explained.

Pikitup further indicated that residents are urged to keep bins inside their property until such time as alternative operational arrangements were communicated by the company.

“Pikitup apologises for any inconveniences which may be caused as a result of the service delivery interruptions and will provide regular updates on the situation and wishes to inform all residents and business owners serviced by the company, that we are experiencing service delivery interruptions,” he concluded.

South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) Joburg regional chairperson Conel Mackay said the managing director of Pikitup was allegedly abusive and acted without consulting employees.

“They just implement their policies without consulting us,” he explained.

Mackay further explained that the entity scrapped the funeral transport benefit scheme and replaced it with a R5 000 donation when an employee passes away.

He argued that the salaries of Pikitup employees should be evaluated and be on the same scale of employees of other municipal entities such as City Power, Joburg Water and City Parks.

“General workers are doing the same job but earn different salaries. Those who started recently are earning higher salaries while those who had been working for years are earning lower salaries,” he concluded.

Details: ER24 084 222 1078; Pikitup 011 712 9299; SAMWU 082 555 1461.

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