SOUTH AFRICA: Refuse goes uncollected in Tshwane

Tshwane – A second week into the refuse collection workers’ strike in the Tshwane metro municipality, has seen waste from homes and businesses go uncollected in the area.

Concerned residents can however call the metro’s hotlines for refuse collection on 0800 202 103 (toll free) or on (012) 358 0500, between 7.30 and 4pm.

An additional contact number for waste removal on vacant stands is (012) 358 0547.

The ongoing strike by refuse collection workers contracted to the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, was ruled illegal and unprotected by the High Court.

“The strike embarked upon by the workers is illegal and therefore unprotected. No dispute was [ever] registered with the Council,” the metro said in a statement, last week.

The staff employed by Milnex, embarked on industrial strike action through an “unprotected strike” earlier this month.

Refuse collection has therefore been affected in the greater Tshwane metro, from Akasia in the north to Centurion in the south.

This left the metro with no choice but to obtain a High Court interdict last week, against South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), Milnex, and Milnex employees.

Milnex employees within the SAMWU had on 8 August 2007 presented the municiplaity with a memorandum of grievances pertaining to contract matters.

Included in the unions’ list of demands is that those workers employed by labour brokerage companies, who are contracted by the Tshwane metro, should be employed directly by the local authority.

While industrial action was only undertaken by the Milnex staff, the strike has also impacted on other staff employed directly by the Council, with cases of assault and intimidation having been reported, according to the statement.

Due to the disruptions caused by the strike, the Council engaged in negotiations with SAMWU in an effort to resolve the dispute.

Negotiations have primarily focussed on the content of the memorandum of grievances, and the Council has indicated it will provide SAMWU with feedback regarding the issue of contract workers.

The High Court subsequently handed down its ruling on last week, ordering the respondents to cease hostilities toward management, and return to work immediately as they render an essential service.

In accordance with the court order, full service was expected to resume on last Friday, but this did not occur. The union announced that it will seek legal council regarding the court order.

The municipality has indicated it will await an official response from the union. - BuaNews