Randburg Pikitup casual staff remain on strike as they await permanent placement
The Pikitup strike has been ongoing for weeks, and workers promise to continue to keep the Randburg depot closed until they are given what they deserve.
Pikitup casual workers vow to continue with the shutdown of the Randburg depot until management hears their cries.
The workers have shut the gates of the depot for more than 10 days, disrupting service. The gate is blocked with massive waste, and no trucks are allowed to operate.
The workers are sitting outside the gate and have made it clear that they will not open the depot until the entity issues them appointment letters for permanent positions.
Read more: Pikitup Randburg Depot casual workers to reopen the depot
Lehlogonolo Mawela, one of the casual workers, confirmed that management is meeting today to discuss the issue, and they are expecting to hear from them before the end of the day. “They promised to come back to us after their meeting. We will wait for them, but for us, it is clear, we want the appointment letters.”
As the standstill continues, residents are left to suffer as their bins remain full and not collected. The situation has worsened at the Randburg CBD as piles of rubbish remains untouched. The busy CBD has felt the strike results the most as people dump on the pavement.
Also read: Pikitup silent after woman’s death
Ward 102 stand-in councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete said the Pikitup strike is deeply concerning because of its impact on residents’ health and daily living conditions. “I respect the rights of the workers to strike, and I have empathy with their frustration. However, waste collection is an essential service, and the ongoing strike is causing major health risks to everyone affected. Our area looks like a dump.”
She added that Ward 102 has a diverse population, and residential as well as economic spaces have been affected significantly. “Our commercial areas are strewn with refuse, and the smell is palpable. Residents are not sure if bins should be left out or not. Waste pickers constantly go through bins, and this impacts the cleanliness of the areas.
“I sincerely hope that a resolution is reached between Pikitup and labour representatives so that normal services can resume as soon as possible.”
Her biggest concerns are public health risks, illegal dumping, rat and mice infestations, and the negative impact on businesses and residents.
More questions were sent to Pikitup, and the response will be shared once made available.
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