Workers’ strike throws spanner in the works of metro service delivery
This as metro warned Tshwane residents about possible disruptions as result of the action.
Tshwane metro service delivery “in some instances” has been hit by an ongoing strike by a municipal workers union this week.
This as metro warned Tshwane residents about possible disruptions as result of the action.
Services such as power failure repairs, sewerage, water meters, pipe leakages and waste collection have been compromised, according to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
“Customers are urged to use the SMS line – 44676 and 082-612-0333 – for reporting power failure complaints,” Mashigo said, adding that residents should anticipate delays in the turn-around on messages they logged through their lines.
“The City apologises profusely to members of the community who are greatly frustrated and inconveniences by industrial protests that have now obstructed the normal process of business in Tshwane.”
Mashigo said residents should remain patient during the period of slowed down response time.
Last week, municipal workers went on the rampage, trashing the metro’s headquarters in the city centre after wage talks collapsed.
The protesting members were believed to be members of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu).
READ MORE: VIDEO: Tshwane wage protest affects metro service delivery
Tshwane head administrator Mpho Nawa said the members entered Tshwane House, emptied wheelie bins and trashed the CBD streets with litter.
He condemned the “appalling behaviour” by the protesting workers.
“The right to strike is entrenched in the constitution, but no one has the right to damage the property of the municipality and trash the streets with litter. This behaviour borders on criminality.”
On Tuesday, a special local labour forum meeting was held between the administrators and the representatives of both Samwu and another union, Imatu.
Nawa said the purpose of the meeting was to conclude the two agenda items of which one was the implementation of the 6.25% annual wage increase and implementation of the benchmarking collective agreement.
“These items had not been concluded from the previous meeting held on Thursday, last week.”
He said the talks were not concluded due to the fact that Samwu leadership walked out of the meeting which led to its collapse as there was no quorum.
READ MORE: Tshwane metro is collapsing under administrators – DA
“The main issue that was disputed by leaders of both unions was around the metro’s request to make a proposal on how the 6.25% pay rise could be structured.”
Nawa said the administrators had also made a “compelling case” regarding the state of the metro’s finances.
He said national treasury had also raised this concern of finances with the Tshwane metro.
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