Msunduzi Municipality – City of Choice / Facebook
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union says it is still working to reach an agreement with Msunduzi Municipality following a renewed strike by municipal workers.
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union says it is still trying to reach an agreement with the Msunduzi Municipality.
On Thursdays, workers downed tools as part of an ongoing labour dispute – with the municipality saying the strike affected service delivery across the city.
SAMWU‘s Bongi Gule says the latest strike follows an earlier work stoppage in June, which was suspended after the union and municipality agreed on eight issues.
She says the union then tried to get the agreement signed, but the municipality failed to come on board – leading to the strike resuming.
“We’ve agreed with the municipality that on Monday we must finalize this thing. We’re not too sure whether they will sign, because I cannot confirm at the moment whether they will sign or not, because that’s what they did last time.
“They said they will sign and then they didn’t. But still we are hoping that on Monday everything will be finalized.”
The municipality has meanwhile condemned the alleged intimidation of staff, damage to municipal infrastructure and any actions that infringe on the rights of others.
It says the right to strike does not give anyone the right to intimidate employees, damage public property or compromise the safety and freedom of residents and other workers.
The municipality is appealing for restraint and patience from residents and businesses while engagements with SAMWU continue.
Source: https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/samwu-msunduzi-strike-labour-agreement/