Update: uThukela has seven days to respond to strikers’ demands
In a memorandum issued on behalf of Imatu members to uThukela, they laid out a long list of unresolved issues
The uThukela offices came to a standstill on Tuesday morning as Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union (Imatu) workers staged a protest.
The municipal workers began their one-day strike action in front of the uThukela offices in Lyell Street. However, they had only been given permission to protest in Forbes Street and not Lyell Street. Police ordered them to move away and they complied, moving to the back of the building in Forbes Street and blocking the building’s entrance with rocks and stones.
The protesters say no one wants to hear their grievances and that is the reason for the strike. In a memorandum issued on behalf of Imatu members to uThukela, they laid out a long list of unresolved issues. Among them was the issue of lack of equality within the workforce. They allege that the workers who fall under the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) get preferential treatment compared to Imatu members.
According to them, uThukela District Municipality recently removed eight permanent employees from the procurement section and replaced them with temporary employees. The employer (uThukela District) allegedly employs people with no relevant experience or qualifications. This has resulted in certain individuals not knowing what their duties are, they say.
During the month of February, 24 drivers were employed who did not have driver’s licences and municipal money was then used to take them for their learner’s and driver’s licences.
They also feel that all people doing the same job should earn the same amount of money.
General workers who have basic knowledge about plumbing filled the position of plumbers when there was a lack of employees in that field. While working in those positions, they took it upon themselves to get their trade test done, but when placing came, Samwu members got the positions.
They also say uThukela needs to reinstitute travel allowances in accordance with AA rates, as stipulated by national government.
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