Taps will not run dry – Rand Water
It is unclear if strike action is expected in the near future.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) workers who vowed to picket outside the Labour Court in Braamfontein, on August 20, were a no show.
“Rand Water remains committed to current salary negotiations and met with representatives of its employee-affiliated trade unions on August 20. No agreement has been reached yet about the percentage increases to salary, housing allowances and the incentive bonus,” said media relations manager, Justice Mohale.
Mohale also confirmed that the minimum services level agreement, which excludes essential employees from taking part in industrial action, was not a matter of dispute. Rand Water assured residents that a back-up plan is in place to ensure that services are not interrupted should the strike action be carried out by workers.
“Rand Water will continue to provide high quality potable water to all its customers and remains committed to reaching an amicable resolution to the current salary negotiations,” continued Mohale.
On August 19, SAMWU said in a statement that the picket was in support of the union defending members’ right to strike. Rand Water applied for an interdict to deter the strike action by the workers, although, the union said with or without an interdict the strike action would commence.
“Our constitutional right to strike cannot be taken away by an arrogant and exploitative employer who does not value the work done by its employees,” said the statement. “When taps run dry, the public should ask Rand Water why it has failed to offer workers substantial increases,” stated the union.
SAMWU is demanding a 10 percent increase for lowest paid workers, nine percent for middle income workers and eight percent for supervisory workers. A 12 percent incentive bonus and R2 150 housing allowance are also on the cards.
It is unclear if strike action is expected in the near future.
