Fear, anger, defiance and determination were etched the harrowed faces of municipal workers on Tuesday afternoon.
Workers again barricaded themselves within the municipal grounds surrounding the Town Hall, in defiance of the so-called lack of interest shown by municipal management to resolve issues raised by workers.
According to workers, who had promised to again go on strike if a resolution could not be agreed upon by April 14, they were not asking for something that was unattainable.
“We are not only asking for higher salaries. We are asking that they bridge the gap between the salaries of workers,” said one worker, who has asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.
Calls were made by individual workers for a forensic audit by the Public Protector or the Auditor General, as they claimed this was the only way to uncover alleged corruption within the financial corridors of the administration.
The background:
The latest strikes by workers sought to resolve the issues of salary scales and some contractual workers, who were seeking permanent employment by the municipality.
Workers hoped to shed light on their demands, by barricading the gates to the municipal building, dancing and singing. They demanded meetings with the municipal manager, Kebone Masange.
Workers claimed nepotism, favouritism and ‘tenderpreneurship’ was rife within the municipality, which only benefited few individuals, with the worker on the street receiving no such boons.
To date, workers say no tangible offer has been placed on the table by management. With tempers and wallets wearing thin, actions taken by workers are being supported by unions, as they believe it in their best interests to protest, attempting to gain a platform for their voices to be heard.
The situation:
On Tuesday, tempers were frayed. The normally peaceful protests were tainted by a faint yet persistent sense of frustration emanating from workers and union members alike.
Strong words were thrown thick and fast, as police officials first attempted to resolve the situation amicably. Spokespersons for the police informed the protesters of the court order in possession of the municipality, which barred workers from barricading themselves on municipal grounds, and/or throwing rubbish on the streets of Newcastle.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Shooz Magudulela, the workers had directly contravened a court order issued by the Labour Court. Police were forced to act to uphold the ruling.
Workers claimed they had previously complied with the same court order, making the ruling null and void. Police gained entry by climbing underneath a temporary construction fence. Dressed in riot gear, carrying shields and batons, approximately 30 officers were met by an angry municipal security force, demanding to see the court order.
After security was told politely to not interfere with police operations, the polices marched in formation to where the crowd of workers was gathered. Proclaiming peace, some workers picked up rocks as the police approached.
By this time, the atmosphere was tense. Physically picking up seated workers, police were met with defiance. Shortly after the first worker was apprehended, one police officer detonated a stun grenade, successfully disbanding the entire group of protesters.
The two loud explosions and bright flashes signaled the end of patience police had shown towards workers during previous strikes. Chaos ensued as workers ran in every direction, scrambling to escape the clutches of the law. One man stood dumbfounded, bruised and his shirt ripped from the stun grenade.
Workers climbed over the palisade fencing to reach vehicles parked on the other side of the fence. One part of the palisade behind the library was torn down completely.
Approximately 40 workers between the ages of 30 and 58 were arrested for contravening the court order. A scuffle ensued as police were attempting to load the men and women into vehicles. The strong police presence ensured that very few managed to escape.
The allegations of workers and the responses from the Mayor, Afzul Rehman:
Workers claimed their earnings were roughly R4 500 per month, while other general workers earned double that amount. Some 46 other employees’ salaries had been adjusted for the better, but workers still claimed that due processes and regulations were not adhered to during the adjustment process.
Below is an extract of questions sent to the Mayor, Afzul Rehman, following interviews with workers. Cllr Rehman responded almost immediately to these questions, stating the position of the municipality clearly and concisely.
Question: Is it true that municipal management denied the workers their asked amount for salary adjustments? According to workers, municipal management said that the asked amount was not sustainable? If so, why?
Cllr Rehman: Yes it is true. The workers demanded an across the board increase of R5200 and The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), which chaired the meeting, and the municipality rejected this as it is a national South African Local Gevernment Association (SALGA) and bargaining council competency to discuss salary increases for municipal workers. It must be noted that the matter has not been referred to the executive committee, as they insisted that it be dealt with by a task team.
Question: Can municipal management confirm whether there are 46 employees (not management) within the municipality, earning salaries in a much higher bracket than others who have the same job descriptions? If yes, why? If no, can management provide proof in this regard?
Cllr Rehman: I am not certain of the number, but a group had approached the bargaining council and it was agreed. I have personally assured that any official who is getting paid less than his peers doing the same job will be rectified and this report was supposed to be sent to EXCO. The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) later derailed this decision.
Question: Is the administration willing to provide the residents of Newcastle and this publication with a clear cut reason why there are irregularities in regards to salaries?
Cllr Rehman: There are NO proven irregularities. We have bargaining councils and labour courts for disputes. Trashing municipal buildings is not the procedure in any event.
Question: Workers say Mr Masange is just a puppet, subject to political will. What is the view of management on these allegations?
Cllr Rehman: The municipal manager is a municipal employee who reports to the executive committee and council. His delegated powers are limited according to legislation. Calling him a puppet for abiding by the laws of the land or policies of an elected council is simply done by people who do not understand this legislation.
Question: What was stated in the court order? What was the main motivation behind the procurement of said order?
Cllr Rehman: It was a court order interdicting staff from gathering illegally on municipal property. Sealing off the main building and holding workers hostages are illegal and uncalled for.
Question: What was the procedure followed by management to resolve the issues raised by workers?
Cllr Rehman: A task team headed by provincial COGTA members and SALGA investigated issues for the past month. Their recommendations still need to serve before EXCO, so I am not privy to the final document as yet. The last meeting was only yesterday.
Workers promised to influence members of the community to refrain from voting in the forthcoming May 7 elections, if their issues have not been resolved by then. Independent sources have suggested the internal strife witin the ANC has influenced workers to make such a threat.
The full list of questions sent to Mayor, Afzul Rehman and the answers received;
Is it true that municipal management denied the workers their asked amount for salary adjustments? According to workers, municipal management said that the asked amount was not sustainable? If so, why?
Cllr Rehman: Yes it is true. The workers demanded an across the board increase of R5200 and CoGTA, which chaired the meeting, and the municipality rejected this as it is a national SALGA and bargaining council competency to discuss salary increases for municipal workers. It must be noted that the matter has not been referred to the executive committee as they insisted that it be dealt with by a task team.
Workers say that the municipal manager, Kebone Masange should make the decisions, and not the Mayor, Afzul Rehman, who, according to the workers, makes decisions based on political will and not in the best interest of the workers. They have accused the politicians in interfering with the administration. What is Cllr Rehman’s view on these allegations?
Cllr Rehman: Any decision that has budget implications has to b approved by EXCO and council.
Can municipal management confirm whether there are 46 employees (not management) within the municipality, earning salaries in a much higher bracket than others that have the same job descriptions? If yes, why? If no, can management provide proof in this regard?
Cllr Rehman: I am not certain of the number but a group had approached the bargaining council and it was agreed. I have personally assured that any official who is getting paid less than his peers doing the same job will be rectified and this report was supposed to be sent to EXCO. SAMWU later derailed this decision.
Is the administration willing to provide the residents of Newcastle and this publication with a clear cut reason why there are irregularities in regards to salaries?
Cllr Rehman: There are NO proven irregularities. We have bargaining councils and labour courts got dispute. Thrashing municipal buildings is not the procedure in any event.
Can the municipality confirm or deny that regulations were flouted with the adjustments of certain salaries? Workers claim that management adjusted said 46 workers’ salaries, but not according to regulatory processes.
Cllr Rehman: No regulations were flouted that we know off. If it is tested by the courts, which we propose, then the executive committee can make a decision on the matter. Until then, as the mayor and executive committee, we cannot act on hearsay.
What is the procedure according to municipal regulations to adjust salaries? What evaluations and tests are done in this regard, before adjustment is agreed?
Cllr Rehman: Salary adjustments are done by the national bargaining council
Workers say Mr Masange is just a puppet, subject to political will. What is managements’ view on these allegations?
Cllr Rehman: The mm is a municipal employee who reports to the executive committee and council. His delegated powers are limited according to legislation. Calling him a puppet for abiding by the laws of the land or policies of an elected council is simply done by people who do not understand this legislation.
According to workers the LLF only sat down a few times. While workers called for more meetings, management declined, saying that they were busy elsewhere. Workers are alleging that the roadshows have taken preference over the interests of employees?
Cllr Rehman: I will ask for a report on the number if times the LLF sat in the last month. The budget roadshows have no bearing on this as it is a legislative requirement and does not stop the work of the municipality on other matters.
What is the average salary for general workers across the board? Are there any exceptions? And why?
Cllr Rehman: We have different grades of General Workers on different levels. General workers Gr I = post level 20, General Workers Gr II = post level 19 and General Workers Gr III = post level 20. I do not know the different notches of the post levels of by heart but levels 20 – 19 is between R70k and R80k per annum basic salary excluding all benefits.
Workers say that if 46 workers’ salaries can be adjusted, allegedly to the tune of R3 million, it must be adjusted across the board. At what time does management plan to find an amicable solution for the issues raised by workers?
Cllr Rehman: That is not possible to raise salaries across the board, on what grounds?
What was stated in the court order? What was the main motivation behind the procurement of said order?
Cllr Rehman: It was a court order interdicting staff from gathering illegally on municipal property. Sealing off the main building and holding workers hostages is illegal and uncalled for.
According to workers, the only reason the municipality has scooped so many awards is due to committed workers, not due to competent management. Can the municipality comment on this?
Cllr Rehman: I agree that everyone in the team of Newcastle municipality is credited with the outstanding work and recognition received through various awards.
Is it true that management admitted to making a mistake in regards to salary adjustments?
Cllr Rehman: I do not know of any such confession.
Workers say that the adjustments for the 46 employees were based on opinion/political alignment/nepotism and favoritism. Can the municipality comment on this?
Cllr Rehman: It was a bargaining council resolution.
