Sonce nos: UPDATE: Tshwane 'interdicts' striking workers

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

UPDATE: Tshwane 'interdicts' striking workers - Rekord East

The Tshwane metro says it has interdicted the SA municipal workers’ union (Samwu) from continuing the “illegal” protest action in the Pretoria CBD.

The metro said the interdict was obtained on Monday, the third consecutive day of protest by its “angry workers” who had vowed to intensify the strike if their pay was not increased by 18 percent and outsourcing stopped.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: ‘Illegal’ Tshwane bus strike enters second day

The metro said the interdict restrained “the union from the illegal strike including marching and intimidation”.

“All officials must report back to work and terminate any illegal strike actions,” said the metro adding that the strike was not protected and participating staff were acting outside of the law.”

However, Samwu was adamant it did not want “stories” from the metro, and would continue to protest on Tuesday.

The protesters have demand 18 percent salary increase as allegedly received by senior managers in 2017.

This strike is crazy, lawlessness all over, City property being used against City. #Pretoria CBD https://t.co/mRGnQldLBe

— Bafana Bafana waya waya. (@marethelong) July 30, 2019

Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa has condemned “the intensifying illegal protest”.

“This is an unlawful activity, which should be condemned in the strongest terms. The current disruption has brought the city’s services to an abrupt halt,” said Mokgalapa.

He said Samwu was being “opportunistic” and undermined the city’s stability.

“It is concerning that flagrant violation of law and order has overshadowed sincere efforts by the metro to resolve the impasse over the demand for an 18 percent increase,” said Mokgalapa.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Traffic CBD cleared as protesters await late meeting

Samwu regional secretary Mpho Tladinyane addressing the angry crowd said: “If senior managers and divisional heads could get paid a particular amount of money (increases), as permanent employees, we are also entitled to that amount of money.

“The only thing we expect the mayor to tell us is when workers will get their money. Any other thing, we are not going to allow or accept as workers in this city,” Tladinyane said.

He alleged the annual salary of one senior Tshwane official had risen to R1.9-million from R1.1-million since the increase.

“Some were paid R400 000, others were paid R300 000, these are the people who earn a lot of money.”

Last Friday, the local labour forum, independent municipal and allied trade union (Imatu) and Samwu met to resolve the matters but Mokgalapa said instead “employees resorted to thuggery and disorderliness”.

The industrial action is legal, Yes.
But taking the municipal assets without authorization and parking it across intersections, was NOT approved! I really hope those drivers who took thoses vehicles eithout approval get [email protected]
⚔#PretoriaCBD https://t.co/esJTRPsdY4

— Lady S. (@Baroness57) July 30, 2019

#Lovely, the intersections that have been closed by #Police are adding to the delays in the CBD. This is what I call 'solidarity in action'. Clearly this is the industrial action that Police & everyone who needs to be in the #PretoriaCBD is now supporting, sithanda singathandi😏 pic.twitter.com/GIDykjdPu2

— Thozama uMaMbili🇿🇦 (@uMaMbili) July 30, 2019