DA: ActionSA’s motion on Tshwane strike an ‘attempt to score political points’

DA: ActionSA’s motion on Tshwane strike an ‘attempt to score political points’

The DA in Tshwane on Friday accused ActionSA of betrayal after it submitted an urgent motion seeking to compel Mayor Cilliers Brink to negotiate with striking municipal workers. 

Cilliers Brinks

In September, the South African Local Government Bargaining Council ruled in favour of workers after the city requested to be exempted from increasing workers' wages due to financial constraints.

Workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) downed tools in July.  

At the end of July, the Labour Court granted the city an urgent interim interdict against its striking employees and declared the strike unlawful and unprotected.  

Last week, the court made the interim order permanent. 

“Without consulting the multi-party coalition, ActionSA submitted an urgent motion to the speaker of council that seeks to compel the executive mayor to negotiate with striking workers as well as for the mayor to consider what it calls the legitimate demands put forward by labour unions", said DA spokesperson Kwena Moloto.

“These demands include adding R600 million to the wage bill, paying striking workers who have disrupted services for residents, and reinstating workers who have engaged in assaults and intimidation against Tshwane employees. 

“The foundation of ActionSA's motion lacks substance. ActionSA seems to be playing opposition politics while in government, clearly attempting to score political points”.  

Moloto says the city has engaged with striking unions in an effort to find common ground.  

“ActionSA's motion displays a lack of foresight. Granting wage increases in Tshwane would inevitably come at the expense of resources designated for essential services to residents.

“If this motion were to be accepted, creating the illusion of ending the strike in the name of resuming service delivery in Tshwane, it would lead to a long-term decline in the quality of services provided to Tshwane residents.

“Under no circumstances will the DA endorse a motion that could result in the financial ruin of the City of Tshwane. If ActionSA chooses to engage in politics that undermine the coalition and potentially return the city to the ANC, the DA Caucus will persist in fighting for residents from the opposition benches.”

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