“All 1,307 Samwu members are preparing for a full-blown strike, we do not need anyone’s permission and want to show the municipality that we have muscle.”
SA MUNICIPAL Workers Union (Samwu) members have issued notice to strike as from Wednesday, August 4.
Samwu local chairperson Daily Semau on Thursday listed reasons for the industrial action, including a number of irregular appointments at Sol Plaatje Municipality as well as local labour forums (LLF) that were not convening.
According to the notice to strike, the last local labour forum meeting was held three months ago.
He said a meeting that was supposed to be held on Thursday was cancelled as a postponed council meeting was held in its place.
“If the LLF meetings, which are supposed to take place monthly, do not take place, there will not be labour peace. The meeting was to be held virtually, when we do not have laptops or internet,” said Semau.
“All 1,307 members are preparing for a full-blown strike, we do not need anyone’s permission and want to show the municipality that we have muscle.”
Semau alleged that the Riverton Pleasure Resort manager, 15 security guards, 17 cleaners, an electrician and an investment officer were appointed on contract during June and July without following proper recruitment and selection processes.
“The appointments were never advertised and the appointments were made from outside the organisation, where the candidates did not have the required qualifications or skills. Strike action will continue until these appointments are reversed.”
He added that a court order was obtained in February to compel the municipality to follow its own recruitment policies and permanently absorb expanded public works programme and contract workers.
“We are in the process of charging the acting municipal manager for being in contempt of court. Concerted efforts are being made to incorporate staff in the political office, including girlfriends and boyfriends, whose contracts come to an end after the five-year term, into administrative positions. They must inform us what scarce skills these staff members possess.”
