The local branch of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) is planning a by-election to recruit a new chairperson after their current leader applied for a municipal job she and union members had earlier rallied against.
The local branch of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) is planning a by-election to recruit a new chairperson after their current leader applied for a municipal job she and union members had earlier rallied against.
Last Wednesday, Samwu's chairperson and secretary to the Mayor, Noluthando Santi, led the pack that chanted “The white, black boss is worrying us!” at a union gathering outside the city hall.
The meeting was organised to discuss the union’s plans to contest the municipality’s recruitment process for shortlisting candidates for five vacancies. These include a youth outreach co-ordinator, a driver for the Mayor, a rural development co-ordinator, a youth career guidance co-ordinator and an executive secretary for the mayoral committee.
At the meeting union members argued that according to protocol, the municipality should have consulted them in the recruitment process before shortlisting prospective candidates.
“We are not disputing that people should be given jobs. All we want is for the correct protocols and procedures to be followed,” a worker said.
Grocott’s Mail attended a follow-up meeting on Monday, where union members voiced disappointment in their chairperson who, despite the union’s objections, had applied for one of the five posts.
This meeting was chaired by Samwu secretary Lindelwa Faltein, who said Santi had told her she wanted the job because of “her own future”.
A union member then proposed that Santi must be removed as a chairperson and a new one elected.
Santi has refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the union has applied for a court interdict to prevent the municipality from conducting interviews to fill the vacancies.
“We are set to hold a dispute (strike) on 11 September,” said Faltein.
