Samwu insists Tshwane members were never on strike
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has disputed reports that its members have downed tools in the City of Tshwane.
The union says that its members have never been on strike.
Last week workers, believed to be affiliated with Samwu, embarked on protests which subsequently led to service delivery disruptions in the city.
Residents in several areas were plunged into darkness and had water supply issues due to what the city described as an illegal strike.
But Samwu regional sectetary Mpho Tladinyane has refuted these claims.
“We place it on record that Samwu has not called for a strike in the City of Tshwane as of yet. The union is not led by amateurs who do not know the procedure to be followed when embarking on a strike action.
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“When the time comes for us to call for a strike, given the decision by the city to deny workers their salary and wage increases, we shall do so following the correct procedures.”
Tladinyane adds that the City is aware of its grievances.
"The city is well aware of the reasons leading to the disruptions in Tshwane and as such, it is not only opportunistic and political of the city to seek to blame these disruptions on members of the union."
Tshwane has since issued notices of its intention to terminate the contracts of 19 employees who were involved in the strike.
