By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) striking workers have dispersed after staging a protest on the M1 highway in Braamfontein on Thursday.
The Pikitup workers and city administrators are demanding back pay amounting to R10.3 million that they say the metro has failed to pay.
Samwu’s deputy regional chairperson in Johannesburg, Lebogang Ndawo said that in 1995, the city stopped salary progression in preparation for iGoli 2000, a restructuring and privatisation plan for the city.
Though this was only supposed to last a year, it continued, and Ndawo claimed workers have been stuck with entry-level salaries since then.
Ndawo explained that administrative workers in different departments received differing salaries.
In 2018 the city adjusted the salaries of its managerial boards but workers’ salaries were left unchanged.
“We have been patient with this issue. There have been multiple issues they have been trying to resolve,” Ndawo lamented.
He said in July, the city finally adopted documentation in line with being a category 10 municipality. however, it is yet to adjust worker salaries to reflect this.
There has been heavy police presence comprising the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department members as well as South African Police Service members – who have also warned motorists about the massive traffic disruptions particularly on the M1 and M2 highways.
They barricaded parts of the M1 and the M2 with stones and tyres on Thursday afternoon.
Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the roads were reopened in the afternoon.
“Protesting City of Johannesburg employees affiliated with Samwu have dispersed. Reports indicate that an agreement was reached for them to disperse, though they have indicated that they will return tomorrow.
“Currently, both the M2 and M1 North highways have been reopened. However, the M1 South remains closed due to rubble that was left behind,
“Traffic remains heavy in the area, and motorists are urged to avoid the M1 South and use alternative routes while officials work to clear the debris from the highway.”
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said, the striking workers dispersed after Samwu’s leadership agreed to meet the local government to resolve the impasse.