JUST IN: Municipal workers down tools for overtime pay

"They are asking why the municipality isn't being put under administration if there is no money in the bank."

Municipal workers are currently on strike, after reportedly being denied overtime pay by the Newcastle Municipality.

Workers are currently protesting outside the Farmers Hall, following an urgent staff meeting called at the Town Hall to address the aggrieved staff this morning, by Municipal Manager, Muzi Mayisela.

Journalist, Estella Naicker is currently at the scene and reports as follows: “Those staff members who are at the Farmers Hall are demanding an explanation for why there is no money to pay them overtime, after they worked overtime.”

The staff have asked why the municipality had not consulted with them beforehand and did not make them aware of the situation.

“Many have budgeted according to the projected income and can not afford their bills without the anticipated income,” added Naicker.

However, it is alleged staff were told there was ‘simply no money’ to pay overtime, and the municipality would try to include this month’s overtime payout in the following month. Staff are said to be aggrieved as no guarantee can be given that this would happen.

According to Naicker, staff interrupted a scheduled Council meeting, knowing there was a CoGTA (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) representative present.