By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Johannesburg has condemned the illegal actions taken by members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) who embarked on a march, despite being granted time off for a briefing on the implementation of the phase two of the Politically Facilitated Agreement (PFA).
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the city said it was considering approaching the labour court for an interdict to prevent further disruptions.
The workers blocked the M1 on Smit Street in Braamfontein and the M2 in Selby resulting in a heavy build-up of traffic. The conflict is understood to have stemmed from a wage dispute.
Traffic was being diverted at Empire Road on the M1 South, Booysens Road on the M1 North and the Rissik Street/Selby exit on the M2 West. Motorists coming from Crown using the M2 East were joining the M1 South and exiting at Booysens Road.
City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the workers were granted time off for a briefing on the implementation of the phase two of the agreement, but used the opportunity to embark on an illegal protest.
“The city had also provided transportation for the briefing in good faith. However, instead of utilising this opportunity for constructive engagement, Samwu members chose to participate in an unauthorised march, which puts people’s lives at risk.
“The city views these actions as unacceptable and illegal, as a result, it is left with no choice but to consider approaching the Labour Court for an urgent interdict to prevent further disruptions.
Samwu has accused the city of failing to fulfil a politically facilitated agreement (PFA) reached in 2016 following a strike by Pikitup workers, which would see employees paid according to benchmarked standards.
The union said the agreement was implemented for levels A and B workers, who are better paid, but not for the lower-paid workers on levels C and D.
It said the city agreed to a new benchmarking agreement and increases were supposed to be paid from 1 July 2024, but the city had asked for more time to fully implement the PFA.
Samwu’s deputy regional chairperson Lebogang Ndawo said workers have since returned to their posts.
“There are meetings that are taking place now with the intervention of the province, we hope the province will realise that workers cannot continue to subsidise the city”.
The city urged Samwu members to refrain from participating in any further illegal activities, to respect agreements and to use legitimate processes to engage on outstanding issues.