Makana Municipality employees downed tools yesterday, 28 September, following reports of problems with their salary payments.
Makana Municipality employees downed tools yesterday, 28 September, following reports of problems with their salary payments.
The workers were due to meet and to be addressed by municipal management today, 29 September.
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail in front of the city hall this morning South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) members said they would not allow the media to sit in the meeting.
They said it was a matter that they were handling internally between them and municipal management. They said they would release a statement.
Workers who spoke to Grocott’s Mail on condition of anonymity said the problems were around salaries being paid late at times and problems with certain items reflected on their payslips.
The workers’ stance has had a negative impact on the delivery of services to the residents of Makana. Rubbish has piled up in front of homes in different parts of the town.
Responding to questions from Grocott’s Mail, municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said the workers were not on strike. She said they had downed tools, but she couldn’t give reasons as to why.
“It’s not a strike, it’s a work stoppage.”
Ramokolo said the municipality hadn’t received anything in writing from the workers, but said they were pleading with the workers to return to work.
“The municipality is also seeking legal advice,” she said.
By this afternoon Ramokolo said the workers hadn’t resumed their duties, adding that she wasn’t sure how long they would continue to stay away from work.
anele@grocotts.co.za
