MEC Maile calls for calm in Tshwane
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Lebogang Maile has noted with concern the ongoing salary increment dispute between SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
Yesterday, Tuesday 21 July 2020, negotiations between organised labour and Team of Administrators through the Local Labour Forum, could not conclude its business. This led into unprotected industrial action, accompanied by destruction of municipal property.
Organised Labour held protest action outside Tshwane House, which are municipal offices. They also emptied bins and threw litter all over the CBD.
MEC Maile has condemned the criminal inclined tactic used by organised labour to force the municipality to concede to their demands. Organised labour has resorted to industrial action without following due processes of declaring a dispute and submit a 48-hour strike notice, as per the Labour Relations Act, promulgated by our democratic government after the dawn of democracy.
“We call on Organised Labour, irrespective of their union logos or t-shirt colours to disengage from industrial action. The doors for engagement are open in order to find an amicable solution”, said MEC Maile. MEC Maile urges Organised Labour to suspend their unprotected industrial action and return back to the bargaining table.
“We call on union leaders to urge their members to return back to work and allow the negotiations to continue undisturbed. We also urge both parties to negotiate in good faith”, continued MEC Maile.
By law, an employer, in this regard, the City of Tshwane can seek a court interdict or alternatively enforce the principle of “No Work, No Pay” against all its employees embarking on a unprotected industrial action.
“The right to strike should not be abused or used to undermine collective bargaining processes. We appeal to organise labour to go back to the bargaining table”, concluded MEC Maile.
According to MEC Maile “we are prepared to meet with Labour in order to resolve the current stand-off, so that service delivery is not affected”.
MEC Maile will seek a meeting with leaders of Labour to solicit a deeper understanding of their collective bargaining demands.
Media Enquiries:
Castro Ngobese
Spokesperson: MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA
Mobile: 0609977790
Email: castro.ngobese@gauteng.gov.za
