DA urges union to lead by example at bargaining council
“The DA Tshwane caucus acknowledges Samwu’s recent decision to distance itself from the ongoing unlawful strike action in Tshwane. We perceive this as a positive step in restoring service delivery and lawfulness to our city, but this is by far not the final solution,” says spokesperson Kwena Moloto.
The Tshwane DA caucus has urged trade union Samwu to act as a voice of reason at the local government collective bargaining council.
The union is scheduled to meet metro delegates at the council on the latter’s application for exemption from effective salary increase agreed to in 2021.
DA caucus spokesperson Kwena Moloto said his party pleads with the union to display exceptional leadership when presenting its membership’s concern to the council.
“The caucus acknowledges Samwu’s recent decision to distance itself from the ongoing unlawful strike action in Tshwane.
“We perceive this as a positive step in restoring service delivery and lawfulness to our city, but this is by far not the final solution,” said Moloto.
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The party further said it supported the city manager’s stance of “no work, no pay”.
This comes a day after Samwu called on its members to return to work and to end their five-week strike.
Mayor Cilliers Brink welcomed the decision, saying it was what the municipality was calling for from the start.
“Unfortunately, that call by Samwu’s leadership is late. We are still seeing significant people coming to work and refusing to take instructions.
“We are also still seeing acts of violence and intimidation directed at staff and service providers,” Brink said.
He said the five-week-long strike had done significant damage to the city and its property.
Brink, however, said the strike had cost the metro its relationship with residents due to no service delivery.
The strike has led to a significant interruption in service delivery in the city.
Municipal workers engaged in the strike from the end of July to protest the their employer’s decision not to make the salary adjustments this year.
Essential services such as electricity repairs, water restoration and refuse removal were interrupted.
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