PIKITUP, the City of Johannesburg’s waste management agency, is acting on its ultimatum to discipline South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu)-aligned workers who have staged three unprotected strikes between December and this month.
As rubbish piles up on Johannesburg streets after three weeks of noncollection, Pikitup spokesman Jacky Mashapu said on Thursday the company had earmarked three days from March 29 during which it would conduct hearings against employees involved in the strike. The refuse agency was also making alternative arrangements to clear uncollected rubbish.
However, Samwu Gauteng deputy regional chairman Vuyani Singonzo said members had resolved to continue with the strike.
The city and Pikitup had decided jointly on the disciplinary action, citing the three unprotected strikes taking place, despite the parties reaching a political agreement in November to end industrial action.
The city says Samwu violated both the "spirit and the letter" of that agreement, but the union has also accused the Johannesburg administration of doing the same.
Mr Singonzo said a process to benchmark pay at Pikitup and across the city had proven the union’s concerns that there were pay disparities among workers doing the same work depending on which entity employed them. However, the union had little hope that this would be attended to soon, he said.
Samwu members earned a minimum of R6,014 at Pikitup, while they received between R8,000 and R10,000 at other entities, he said.
"Members have weighed the risk because even if they return to work, the situation there is worsening," Mr Singonzo said.
Samwu national office-bearers issued a call for members to return to work, but it is unclear who is in charge of the union at this level. The union issued conflicting statements over a reshuffle of its national office-bearers.
Jacky Mashapu. Picture: SOWETAN
PIKITUP, the City of Johannesburg’s waste management agency, is acting on its ultimatum to discipline South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu)-aligned workers who have staged three unprotected strikes between December and this month.
As rubbish piles up on Johannesburg streets after three weeks of noncollection, Pikitup spokesman Jacky Mashapu said on Thursday the company had earmarked three days from March 29 during which it would conduct hearings against employees involved in the strike. The refuse agency was also making alternative arrangements to clear uncollected rubbish.
However, Samwu Gauteng deputy regional chairman Vuyani Singonzo said members had resolved to continue with the strike.
The city and Pikitup had decided jointly on the disciplinary action, citing the three unprotected strikes taking place, despite the parties reaching a political agreement in November to end industrial action.
The city says Samwu violated both the "spirit and the letter" of that agreement, but the union has also accused the Johannesburg administration of doing the same.
Mr Singonzo said a process to benchmark pay at Pikitup and across the city had proven the union’s concerns that there were pay disparities among workers doing the same work depending on which entity employed them. However, the union had little hope that this would be attended to soon, he said.
Samwu members earned a minimum of R6,014 at Pikitup, while they received between R8,000 and R10,000 at other entities, he said.
"Members have weighed the risk because even if they return to work, the situation there is worsening," Mr Singonzo said.
Samwu national office-bearers issued a call for members to return to work, but it is unclear who is in charge of the union at this level. The union issued conflicting statements over a reshuffle of its national office-bearers.
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