WATCH: Strike standoff: uMhlathuze talks deadlocked

Negotiations between striking municipal workers and the City of uMhlathuze remain deadlocked, with no agreements yet reached.

This as the striking workers, affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) met with municipal leadership on Friday as per their deadline issued after Tuesday’s march to the civic centre.

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Included in the list of grievances were:

Unfair labour practices, citing ‘persistent unfair dismissals and a pattern of victimisation against union-affiliated employees; misuse of ratepayers’ funds, opposing the use of private attorneys for internal disciplinary matters; gross negligence in workplace safety; noncompliance with employment equity and disability inclusion; exploitation of EPWP employees; lack of danger allowance; inadequate tools of trade, demanding provision of functional computers and a roadworthy fleet; and racism within Electricity and Energy Services, citing an urgent need to address racial inequity, specifically the rehiring of white retired employees as temporary staff’.

Discussions are expected to continue with the municipality on Sunday, and on Monday the union has scheduled a general meeting with its members at Ngwelezane Hall to provide feedback and for members to take a decision going forward – to suspend or proceed with the strike.

The impact of the strike action is already evident, with waste collection services affected across the city this week.

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