Illegal strike continues further hampering service delivery
Since the strike began, several communities have been without water and electricity for several days.
THE eThekwini Municipality has served 79 employees with notices of misconduct for engaging in what they say is ‘unlawful conduct’.
The ongoing strike action by some eThekwini Municipality workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) over pay has caused havoc for service delivery around the city.
Several communities have been without water and electricity for several days while refuse collection has also been severely affected by the strike, which began last Tuesday (February 27).
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“The employees served with misconduct notices are required to make submissions within a period of 10 days stating why they should not be dismissed. The municipality reiterates that it has not received a memorandum of grievances or a petition from SAMWU, apart from a one-page paper with Ekurhuleni Municipality pay scales which was submitted to the Office of the City Manager on February 27,” the City said in a statement.
“With regard to the wage curve, it must again be highlighted that the categorisation of municipalities and the consequent wage curve of eThekwini Municipality is still under negotiation at a national level as it is a national competence.”
Since last week, the City has suspended 20 employees connected with the strike, and 13 workers were arrested.
As a result of the strike, waste collection services have been disrupted.
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“This has affected the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit’s refuse collection and street sweeping services. Residents are requested not to take out their refuse until further notice. Garden refuse sites have also been temporarily closed. We request residents to keep their garden refuse within their properties,” the City concluded.
The City added that staff are working to attend to reported electricity faults, prioritising major power outages, and restoration of water supply is being prioritised during the strike.
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