Last week the Mayor of Newcastle, Afzul Rehman, met with municipal workers to settle issues raised by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
During a raucus meeting held in Farmers Hall on Thursday afternoon, Cllr Rehman adressed some of the issues raised by the union, such as the allegations of nepotism within the Newcastle Municipality.
The issue of municipal workers being able to sell their leave was discussed, and workers will now again be allowed to do so, although wages were not mentioned.
Many workers left the meeting disappointedly, as several issues were still unresolved. Cllr Rehman however, maintained in a response to an official query that all issues had been sorted out.
“I met all staff and responded to all issues raised by organised labour,” said Cllr Rehman. “This will serve in EXCO as individual reports.”
The executive committee will now decide what action to take on these reports.
In an article published in February, the Advertiser highlighted allegations that SAMWU was still waiting for Kebone Masange, municipal manager, to respond to an official memorandum submitted to his office by SAMWU, following protests in May 2013. The reason why remained unclear.
