Samwu served Rand Water with a notice to strike within 48 hours, a move that will result in full-blown industrial action at the water utility. The union’s national collective bargaining officer, Chumani Gqeke said, “We are currently talking to our members on the nature and type of industrial action that we will be engaged in.”
Gqeke said Rand Water wasted time by offering an insignificant salary and not buding on the offer of an incentive bonus and housing allowance.
He said the employer, over the weekend, contacted them with a view to having a meeting on 17 August. “That meeting since collapsed as a result of non-commitment from the Rand Water negotiating team. Given the behaviour of the employer, we felt we would not continue with wage negotiations that are inherently characterised by dishonesty, arrogance and a lack of commitment. Our next appointment with Rand Water will be on the streets to settle these negotiations,” Gqeke stated.
He said Rand Water called the meeting to tell them that they had revised their latest offer with a laughable one. Among Samwu’s demands are a 10 percent increase for all lowest paid workers, nine percent for middle-income workers and eight percent for supervisory workers, 12 percent on incentive bonuses and a R2 150 housing allowance across the board.
Meanwhile, Rand Water spokesperson Justice Mohale confirmed that they met with representatives of its employee-affiliated trade unions and were served with a notice to strike.
Mohale said, “No agreement has yet been reached in respect of the demands made by the trade unions, namely the percentage increases to salary, housing allowances and the incentive bonus.” He added that the meeting confirmed that the minimum services level agreement was not a matter of dispute.
Meanwhile, Gqeke was adamant that the strike will go on if no agreement is reached by the end of the 48-hour deadline. “We have not reached any agreement with Rand Water and, yes, a strike is going on after the expiry of the 48 hours, which is today,” he said.
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