Strike-hit Tshwane implements waste collection recovery plan
The City of Tshwane says it is addressing the waste collection backlog caused by a strike involving workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu).
Workers downed tools last week, demanding 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases.
However, Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink indicated that the city’s dire financial state means it cannot afford to pay any salary increases to municipal workers.
The Labour Court subsequently granted Tshwane an interim interdict against the striking municipal workers.
The city also indicated that it would be applying for a bargaining council exemption to allow it not to implement the wage hikes.
The city's spokesperson Lindela Mshigo says the strike action also impacted "the functioning of disposal sites which could not operate due to threats from the striking employees".
To ensure waste management, the city dispatched law enforcement teams to escort waste collection trucks servicing the businesses.
Mashigo says the recovery plan will continue into the weekend until waste in all the various regions is collected.
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