'Pray for rain’ - Samwu warns residents of water shortage ahead of Rand Water strike
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) will be embarking on a protected strike action at Rand Water later this month.
Samwu affiliated workers are up in arms over conditions of employment, including the non-payment of incentive bonuses.
Despite attempts at negotiations, Samwu accuses Rand Water of failing to come to the table.
Last week, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) granted the union a certificate of non-resolution, giving workers the right to strike.
Workers are required to give the water utility a 48-hour notice before downing tools.
“Rand Water, a bulk water utility entity which is responsible for bulk water provision to municipalities and industries in Gauteng, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces has since been informed as required by law that workers will be downing tools indefinitely from the 13th May 2021,” says Mamorena Madisha, Samwu deputy secretary in Gauteng.
“Despite the Labour Court having ruled and ordered Rand Water to withdraw a circular issued to workers informing them that they would no longer be receiving incentive bonuses, the employer has failed to do so.”
Rand Water called another meeting with the union on Friday, in a bit to hang out their differences.
Madisha says the meeting yielded no fruitful results.
“Workers have therefore resolved that since the employer is not willing to ensure that they rescind the circular as directed by the Labour Court nor discuss this matter in the best interest of residents and workers, the only option is to go to the streets,” she explains.
“Rand Water has essentially pushed workers to the streets through their arrogance and changing the conditions of service of workers without any consultation.
Madisha adds workers take no pleasure in downing tools, a decision they say could impact residents.
“It is however important to note that before we are employees of Rand Water, we are community members and as such, we too want clean water running in our homes. The arrogance of Rand Water has however pushed workers to take this painful decision.
“As workers will be embarking on this strike action, we cannot guarantee running water to residents and industries in Gauteng, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces what we can all do is pray for rain as that will be the only guaranteed source of water during the strike action.“
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