Strike to hit Rand Water
Recent reports of a looming water shortage in Gauteng has residents worried.
Justice Mohale, spokesman for Rand Water, says they will continue to provide high quality water to all its customers.
“This is after the organisation was served with a notice to strike,” he says.
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has served Rand Water with notice to strike within 48 hours.
SAMWU demands 10% increase for all lowest paid workers, 9% for middle income workers and 8% for supervising workers as well as a 12% incentive bonus and R2 150 housing allowance across the board.
SAMWU’s press release states that Rand Water has elected to waste time by offering a very insignificant salary offer and with no movement on the incentive bonus and housing allowance.
The statement reads that the union’s next appointment with Rand Water will be on the streets to settle negotiations.
“When taps run dry in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, members of the community should ask Rand Water why they have not committed to giving workers an increase that will have real gains for them,” reads the statement.
Mohale says Rand Water remains committed to current salary negotiations and that no agreement has yet been reached in respect of certain demands made by the trade union, namely the percentage increases to salary, housing allowances and the incentive bonus.
“The meeting, however, confirmed that the minimum services level agreement is not a matter of dispute,” he says.
He adds that Rand Water will continue to provide high quality potable water to all its customers and that they remain committed to reaching an amicable resolution to the current salary negotiations.
