​Planned secondary strike at municipal level

Planned secondary strike at municipal level
The City of Johannesburg has taken note of the decision by the Labour Court granting the South African Municipal Worker's Union (SAMWU) the right to engage in secondary strike action.

The City supports the position put forward by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) that we do not have a dispute with trade unions operating at municipal level as we have a three-year wage and salary agreement that expires in 2009. It is therefore imperative that basic services are not unduly disrupted as our people expect uninterrupted service from their municipalities.

Last week the City took a decision to implement its new financial year's (1st July) agreement concluded last year with the SAMWU and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU).

The court brought clarity to the fact that the strike is a secondary strike, it will last for only a one day (13 June 2007) for SAMWU members who elect to participate and essential services employees are precluded from participating in the planned action.

"Invariably we do not expect any non SAMWU members to participate in the strike, but in fact others should help the city to achieve the full level of service" said City Manager, Mavela Dlamini.

Johannesburg supports the right of workers to exercise their rights as enshrined in our country's Constitution and the Labour Relations Act. In the exercise of this fundamental right, those involved are expected to also recognise the rights of those that have elected not to strike and those of our people who need to access municipal services, in particular essential services.

These essential services are:

Water services
Electrical services
Health and emergency services
Municipal policing
"The City will do all what is humanly possible to ensure that delivery is not severely affected", stated the City Manager, Mavela Dlamini. In cases where service backlog problems are experienced, necessary arrangements will be made to catch up.

In case of those SAMWU members who choose to participate in the strike action, this is expected to be conducted within the ambit of the law.

Residents are urged to take measures to ensure that litter is not strewn about and should be kept safe for collection in the next cycle and further report service problems at our Call Centre on 011 375-5555.

ENDS