Members of the Municipal and Energy Contract Workers Union (MECSU) returned to the streets of Germiston last week Monday, intensifying their 10-month-long strike as they continue to demand permanent employment within the city.

The workers, many of whom are employed as security guards and cleaners, have been on strike since September 11 last year.

The protest initially started in Boksburg, were their picket outside the Boksburg Civic Centre and shifted to Germiston as part of a sustained effort to pressure the municipality into meeting their demands.

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Despite partial progress, union representatives confirm that only two out of seven demands have been implemented.

The central issue, the insourcing of security guards and cleaners, remains unresolved.

MECSU has accused the city of undermining genuine insourcing efforts by allegedly allowing councillors and shop stewards affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) to submit lists of family members for employment in recently advertised general assistant positions.

The union claims this practice is being disguised as insourcing, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in recruitment processes.

“The morale of workers remains high. Many of these workers have been on fixed-term contracts for over 15 years.

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“They deserve job security and dignity through proper insourcing,” said MECSU secretary-general Vukile Mlungwana.

Workers argue that the City has already allocated approximately R13.5b for insourcing across the 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 financial years. However, they allege that these funds continue to be redirected towards external service providers instead of being used to absorb long-serving contract workers.

The union further criticised what it describes as a breakdown in meaningful engagement with the City.

Talks reportedly stalled after the municipality appointed a law firm and senior advocate to facilitate negotiations, with little progress since.

While the city’s ongoing budget deadlock has raised concerns, MECSU maintains that it does not directly affect the strike negotiations.

However, the union believes the situation may influence those seeking to benefit from employment opportunities and tenders linked to outsourced services.

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“We believe the budget impasse will be resolved in the next council sitting, provided political leaders prioritise service delivery over personal interests.

“But even with a budget in place, outsourcing will remain a challenge due to vested interests among political and administrative leadership,” said Mlungwana.

MECSU remains firm in its stance that the strike will continue until all demands are met.

The union is hopeful that political intervention will ultimately lead to a resolution, although it acknowledges the complexities involved.

For now, workers remain on the ground in Germiston, determined to continue their fight for permanent employment and fair labour practices.