2009-02-06: JMPD services will return to normal following court decision to end strike
SERVICES rendered by the Johannesburg Metro Police should return to normal at the earliest possible stage following today's (Friday) decision by the Labour Court that the week-long strike should be ended.
The Acting City Manager, Dr Refik Bismilla, said he is confident thatlicensing and testing offices in the city will be open to the public by Monday and that JMPD officials will resume their normal duties.
Dr Bismilla called the Labour Court's decision a positive outcome and said it confirmed the City's view that there were no reasons to continue with industrial action once the original reasons for the strike had been resolved.
Earlier in the week the City resolved to investigate the actions of two JMPD officials accused of corruption. These officials were suspended with immediate effect. Furthermore, the City agreed to halt future employment of retired personnel at the end of their current contracts.
"We obeyed the decision of the Labour Court and the right of workers to exercise their right to strike as enshrined in our country's Constitution and the Labour Relations Act," says Dr Bismilla. "We trust that JMPD officials will now return to their duties without delay following the new court order."
Dr Bismilla apologised to residents of Johannesburg for the inconvenience caused by the strike. "Unfortunately we had to close down a number of testing services but we are confident that everything will return to normal early next week."
The City will consider alternative arrangements for residents whose appointments were cancelled because of the strike action.
It should be noted that the union, SAMWU, received permission from the Labour Court, to strike based on three demands from the unions.
These were:
That the Chief Superintendent of Internal Affairs be suspended.
That the deputy director internal affairs be suspended and
That JMPD should not re-engage pensioners.
With the City having addressed the three reasons for the strike there should now be no reason why the industrial action must continue.
The City has also declared its willingness to discuss other issues that the union might want to raise in formal discussions. The union is urged to follow due processes as defined in the Labour Relations Act to lodge any dispute because its doors are always open to sound relations with its employees.
Issued by:
Nthatisi Modingoane
Telephone: 011 407 7354
Fax: 011 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: Nthatisem@joburg.org.za
For enquiries contact:
Gabu Tugwana
Telephone: 011 407 7322
Fax: 011 403 3494
Cell: 082 495 5673
E-mail: gabut@joburg.org.za
