This afternoon alongside the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Leah Knott; Economic Development, Cllr Nkuli Mbundu; Development Planning, Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku; Acting City Manager, Mr Byrne Maduka and the Acting Chief of the Metro Police, Mr Thulane Khanyile, I addressed striking South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members outside the Johannesburg Metropolitan Centre in Braamfontein. The labour unions have raised issues concerning the Political Facilitated Agreement (PFA).
The primary objective of the PFA was to attempt to and resolve a plethora of complaints related to salary disparities that existed across the City at the time (2011 – 2016 political administration).
What is important to note is that the PFA of April 2016 was an agreement, which we inherited, between labour unions and the 2011 – 2016 Executive. The Multi-Party Government has nonetheless, since August of this year, taken steps to implement the PFA in a phased approach due to budgetary constraints. At the beginning of September, the relevant City and Entity Officials began to receive monies owed to them. This therefore begs the question: what is the real motive behind this unprotected labour action and the trail of destruction it has left behind?
What Samwu will need to answer for is what is seemingly a breakdown in communication between the leadership and their members, who were seemingly unaware of the negotiations that had been taking place over a period of several months.
On behalf of the Multi-Party Government, we want to reiterate that the relationship between labour unions and the City Administration and Executive, has at most times been cordial and constructive; and we once again condemn the acts of violence, the use of City resources during protest action and general alleged lawlessness. These matters and others will be subject to an investigation that is transparent and independent.
Despite the apparent political hand at play here, the Multi-Party Government has agreed to meet with Samwu leadership during the course of next week in order to fully deliberate on the issues at hand.
We call on City and Entity Officials to return to their posts so that the work of service delivery can continue.
ENDS…
For media queries, please contact:
McKinnley Mitchell
Deputy Director: Communication and Stakeholder Management
Office of the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services
078 800 3047
Mabine Seabe
Director: Mayoral Communication
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
084 677 7851
12/11/2022
