​City says " No Work, No Pay"

The City of Johannesburg has obtained a temporary interdict to prevent employees from going on strike in sympathy with workers at Metrobus, until the matter is heard by the Labour Court on the 01 March 2007.

Any such action will be regarded as an unprotected strike in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

The current strike at Metrobus has not had a major impact on operations says the CEO, Mr Bheki Shongwe. From the first day of the strike, more than 80% of buses ran on schedule and less than 20% of the 971 employees were absent without leave.

"These are issues that have been resolved between the city, SAMWU and IMATU as far back as 2003. It is difficult to understand why this issue can lead to strike action by SAMWU members," he says.

During an unprotected strike the principle of "no work, no pay" is applied to all participating employees. The employer also retains the right to take disciplinary action against striking workers.

It has become quite clear that the Union is aware that the strike at Metrobus has lost momentum, hence the push for solidarity strike.

Council is making every effort to ensure that there will be minimum interruption to public services. With regard to essential services, they remain unaffected by the strike in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

Ends
Issued by
Nthatisi Modingoane
Media Liaison Officer
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za