Johannesburg - Striking Pikitup workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) on Monday ignored management’s threats to dismiss them for failing to return to work and instead continued their work stoppage.
The unprotected strike is the fourth since November 2015 in a series of clashes between management and employees over issues related to salary increments and demands for the dismissal of Pikitup boss Amanda Nair, whom they accuse of corruption. Last year Nair was cleared by the High Court of any wrongdoing related to the same matter.
Read: Pikitup warns striking workers
About 4 000 workers downed tools and embarked on a strike on Wednesday last week, when promised increments did not reflect on their February salaries, and subsequent negotiations collapsed.
Samwu’s regional deputy secretary, Paul Tlhabang, on Monday said their members had gathered at the union’s headquarters in downtown Johannesburg, trying to chart a way forward as they were scared of police.
On Friday, there were clashes between Pikitup workers and police. At least one worker was injured after being struck by rubber bullets fired by the police. The police also fired teargas to disperse the striking workers.
“What I can assure you with is that our members are not back to work. They are resolute and adamant not to return until all their demands which are well-known are met,” Tlhabang said on Monday.
Protesting Pikitup workers trashed the city of Johannesburg. They emptied dustbins onto the streets, creating an unsightly mess.
Pikitup said it had contracted a private company to clean the city and remove waste that has been piling up since last week.
Tlhabang would not be drawn to comment about Friday’s clashes with the police in the central business district.
On Sunday, Pikitup said it had started issuing “pre-dismissal notices” to striking workers, because they had failed to heed a Thursday noon ultimatum and a call by their union’s national office-bearers to return to work while negotiations continued.
Last year, the Red Ants were roped in to clean the streets during a Pikitup strike, which at the time cost the company about R2 million a day. The costs included operational activities, additional security, as well as legal advice.
ANA