2009-02-02: Johannesburg operating as normal
THE City of Johannesburg and its Municipal-Owned Entities (MOEs) commend their employees for commitment to service delivery and ensuring that essential service are not affected by a strike by members of SAMWU employed at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department today, which they did not partake in.
Entities like emergency services (EMS), public health (clinics), water and sanitation, power, waste collection (Pikitup) and Metrobus ran normally thereby achieving the City's primary duty of providing services to the public under the prevailing circumstances.
The City wishes to thank all its employees for fulfilling this mandate and keeping the services running for the community of Johannesburg.
As stated previously, the City of Johannesburg will always support the right of workers to exercise their right to strike as enshrined in our country's Constitution and the Labour Relations Act as long as they do so in compliance with the law and respect for the members of the community that the City serves.
Further, we would like to commend SAMWU, its leadership and Metro Police Officers who participated in the strike for engaging in a peaceful march and respecting the rights of those that elected not to participate in the strike and allowing those people who needed to access municipal services, in particular essential services. Generally the march was peaceful!
Members of the public are also commended for their understanding and patience during this strike. The City is doing everything possible to resolve the matter speedily in order to revert to normal service delivery and members of the public will be kept informed of developments in the City's attempt to resolve the strike.
Tomorrow, 03 February 2009, the striking JMPD employees are expected to gather at the Brixton Fire Stations, from there they will then march to the JMPD Head Quarters in Martindale at 10h00.
All motorists traveling on Ontdekker road are advised that traffic is likely to be affected from 10 am on Tuesday the 03 February 2009 and are therefore urged to use alternative routes to avoid delays.
Issued by:
Nthatisi Modingoane
Deputy Director: Communications
City of Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za
