Brink threatens civil claim against Samwu as Tshwane strike drags on

Workers affiliated with Samwu downed tools in July over the non-payment of salary increases.

The strike has led to an interruption in the delivery of services in the city, including electricity outage repairs, water restoration, and refuse removal.

The city has dismissed more than 100 workers since the start of the strike, which the Labour Court has interdicted.

"After the strike is over, there is going to be a bill that needs to be paid, suffered by the city, ratepayers, and residents. I have asked the City Manager to collate that bill for the proposes of a possible civil claim against Samwu."

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Brink said the strike has turned criminal.

"What started as a wage dispute has turned into a campaign of criminality. An assault on the democratically elected municipal council in Tshwane by a small group of agitators who claim to act on behalf of city employees.

"This group cannot care less about the courts, the bargaining council or the collective agreement. They use violence, criminality and terror as bargaining chips. Whether or not SAMWU still has control of the situation, they must be held accountable," he said.

Brink reiterated the city’s stance that it cannot afford any salary increases.

"The city does not have money to pay increases, year-on-year, municipalities have had to pay salary increases in excess of inflation, and mostly we have been too afraid to apply for exemption, too afraid of what Samwu is doing now – unleashing chaos and violence on the city and the communities we serve. They have done this many times before, and too many times, the city has cowered in the face of criminal assault. 

"But there is something I am more afraid of than Samwu and their threats, and that is the city running out of money," he added.

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