Johannesburg - Labour federation Cosatu has lambasted the City of Johannesburg for hauling striking Pikitup workers before disciplinary hearings.
In a statement, it accused the City of Joburg of painting all workers with the same brush even though only a few “unruly” elements were responsible for vandalism of property.
Pikitup workers, who are members of the SA Municipal Workers Union, a Cosatu affiliate, have been on strike for 4 weeks.
The workers are demanding a salary increase of between R6 000 and R10 000 and that Pikitup managing director Amanda Nair be fired.
The federation said it fully supports the workers’ demands and has called on the municipality to accede to them.
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“With regards to issues surrounding Pikitup MD Amanda Nair, she has proven to be a very polarising figure and her leadership style has resulted in the development of the existing antagonistic relations between the institution and the workers. The municipality’s approach to blindly defend her is not a prudent approach,” said the statement.
The federation has called on the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to assist the parties involved to find a solution as a disciplinary would not help solve the issues raised by the workers.
Cosatu lambasted the municipality for spending R1 million a day to hire what it calls “scab labour” and security instead of listening to workers’ grievances.
It also pleaded with striking workers to refrain from illegal activities.
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“Their demands are legitimate and fair, but allowing any acts of criminality to happen on their [workers’] watch delegitimises their action,” the statement explained.
Cosatu said it is working hard to ensure that a sustainable solution to end the strike is found.
“We are urging Pikitup management and the City of Johannesburg Municipality leadership to consider the plight of the striking workers and ratepayers who are already paying from their pockets for waste management collection.”
“A big a congested city like Johannesburg cannot afford any disease outbreak and those entrusted with the mandate and responsibility of providing leadership to the city should do so immediately before the situation gets worse,” warned the federation.
LABOUR BUREAU