Metro: Overtime cuts won’t affect service delivery

City manager Johann Mettler has issued a new overtime directive aimed at curbing excessive overtime payments while ensuring that critical service delivery remains unaffected.

According to Tshwane’s report, this policy comes after the Auditor-General’s finding that metro employees were regularly working overtime beyond the 40-hour limit, leading to significant financial strain and non-compliance with the Labour Relations Act.

“This is a financial irregularity as overtime in terms of the Labour Relations Act is only limited to 40 hours per month.

“Secondly, by regularly paying staff over 40 hours per month in overtime Tshwane is not compliant with laws and regulations. This makes it a dual offence.”

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said service delivery won’t be compromised.

He said the metro will try to manage overtime effectively to minimise a possible negative impact on service delivery targets.

“Overtime as a result of emergencies will be allowed,” said Mashigo.

The following functions are restricted to 40 hours (but may allow for a further 40 hours depending on the state of the emergency):

– No standby allowances (Roads and stormwater and community services) will be paid; only overtime worked with proof of overtime work being presented.

– Power outages (single, block, group, ward, regions): The issue of single outages is restricted to 20:00 and for Saturday from 07:00-20:00 whereafter the teams should close off the service and return at first light the following day.

– Sewer leaks and pipe bursts (single household, street, block, group, wards and regions): The issue for single leaks will be restricted to 20:00 and for Saturday from 07:00 to 20:00 whereafter the teams will close off the service and return at first light the following day.

– Only under localised flooding circumstances (overtime basis – no standby allowance), as approved by the regional head.

– Roads and stormwater: Pothole repair and patching for emergency and critical circumstances to be determined by the regional head in response to circumstances.

– Tree felling: Only under critical circumstances, such as blocking of roads or access to property or on electric wires.

– MV and higher outages are on a 24/7-day basis.

– Overtime hours for employees on level T11 and above to be curbed at a maximum of 40 hours.

– Sunday burials may continue.

– Burials within 24 hours by religious decree can continue.

– Hiring community halls for events and functions can continue.

– Monday to Friday no after-hours and no overtime escalations except for the three main services.

Regions will publish weekly schedules on the following services, issued a week in advance to make service delivery for these functions more predictable:

– Streetlights, high mast lights and abnormals: Monday to Friday; Saturday only for exceptions. No work on Sunday except for emergency outages.

– Water and Sanitation: Monday to Friday; Saturday only for exceptions and except for emergency outages of water and sewer.

– Flooding will be dealt with on an emergency basis.

– Grass cutting (including parks, cemeteries, and public open space): Monday to Friday; Saturday only for critical areas that are not accessible in the week because of usage.

– Tree felling/pruning (including public and play parks, public open space): Monday to Friday; Saturday only for critical areas that are not accessible in the week because of usage.

Tree felling emergencies such as obstructing traffic are at the discretion of the regional head.

– Road markings: Monday to Friday; Saturday for high volume traffic areas that are not accessible in the week.

Ward 56 and 59 Councillor Shaun Wilkinson said there is no way that service delivery will not be affected.

He said the metro is already struggling to report power outages and major water leaks in time.

“The outages in Tshwane last up to 5-6 days and now with overtime cuts [it] means no employees available,” said Wilkinson.

He added that a power outage in Brooklyn lasted for over a week with no updates from metro officials.

“There’s no point having managers in the region send updates when there is no staff to do the work on Sundays.”

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