Staff Reporter.
The City of Tshwane has on Monday, issued 38 dismissal letters to employees who participated in the unlawful and unprotected strike action.
Workers affiliated with Samwu embarked on a strike at the end of July in protest over non-payment of salary increases.
They are demanding 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases.
The city’s spokesperson Selby Bokaba says the city cannot afford the demands and has applied for a bargaining council exemption.
“The dismissed employees disregarded the court interdict and multiple ultimatums issued by the city manager to return to work. More dismissal letters will be issued out to the striking employees.”
Bokaba says they have also issued 89 letters to the electricity switching teams for failure to perform their duties.
“The electricians claimed that the reason why they failed to execute their duties was due to intimidation by striking colleagues. They were given a deadline of 11 am today (Monday) to give written responses in relation to alleged acts of intimidation and to identify those that have allegedly intimidated them.”
He further said, SAMWU elected to abdicate its responsibility in the face of strike action that is clearly unprotected and in the face of unlawful acts by its members that have prejudiced the rights of the ratepayers who pay their salaries.
Samwu could not be reached for comment.
Bokaba added that they have noted that the Labour Court has not granted an order for contempt of court against the union for continuing to engage in the unlawful and unprotected strike action.
“Although a contempt of court order was not granted in the City’s favour, however, the court was scathing of the conduct of SAMWU’s leadership, including its failure to take responsibility for what the court has declared to be an unprotected and unlawful strike on 28 July 2023.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.