Protesters corner MM for meeting
Today the union workers did not go to work, and have taken up in Town Hall, while the leaders of the union cornered Mr Masange in his office, demanding a meeting.
‘No Money, No Vote ANC’ read the posters inside town hall today.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) barricaded the exit from the municipal building yesterday afternoon, demanding a meeting with Municipal Manager, Kebone Masange.
Today the union workers did not go to work, and have taken up in Town Hall, while the leaders of the union cornered Mr Masange in his office, demanding a meeting.
A meeting between SAMWU leadership and municipal management is currently taking place, in absence of Mayor, Afzul Rehman.
The issues that have led to the protest range from salaries, to unfair treatment of workers and alleged favouritism and nepotism within the senior management of the municipality.
“We are tired of these people putting their unqualified friends in management positions,” said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.
SAMWU also claimed they submitted a memorandum to the municipal manager and the mayor, detailing their issues, in May 2013. According to SAMWU leaders, no response had been received from the municipality to date.
During yesterday’s protest, Cllr Rehman urged the protesting workers to address their issues within the Legal Forums.
However, SAMWU leaders alleged that the legal forums have not been sitting for meetings for some time.
Some of the issues under dispute include:
– Review of salary scales and post levels;
– Non-seating of Local Legal Forums;
– Unilateral decision to stop encashment (sic) of leave;
– Favouritism and nepotism;
– Victimisation of staff who challenge injustices;
– Unprocedural appointment of temporary workers and contract workers.
For a full list of SAMWU disputes, click here.
Pending the outcome of the meeting, the union will need to negotiate their terms. Although allegations of favouritism and nepotism are songs sung on many occasions, the municipality will need to address the issues of the workers, as to not impede service delivery.
“They must stop this tender fraud and giving all the money to their friends,” said another worker. “They are making too much money while the workers sit with nothing.”
