Union vows to continue Germiston strike until demands are met
Workers affiliated with the Municipal Employee Civil and Servant Union (MECSU) have vowed to continue their strike in Ekurhuleni.
This comes after a Labour Court ruling that barred the union from picketing at the municipal offices' entrances and exits.
Workers downed tools on Friday.
The union wants an end to the outsourcing of services, including security, and wants contract workers to be converted into permanent employees.
The city has, meanwhile, strengthened security measures at the OR Tambo precinct, which houses the municipal offices, with metro police and SAPS officers deployed to ensure safety and accessibility.
The city's spokesperson, Phakamile Mbengashe, has warned the union that the precinct is not one of the approved areas, and any attempt to picket there will be in direct contravention of the court order and conditions of the strike.
MECSA Secretary General Vukile Mlungwana said the strike will continue until the workers’ demands are met.
"The City of Ekurhuleni must stop outsourcing the work that is done by permanent employees,” he said.
“And it must install all those workers who are exploited through the outsourcing, in particular the security guards and cleaners.”
A memorandum of demands was handed to the city last week.
"There was a receipt of the memorandum on Tuesday, but the employer has not addressed the workers, hence the continuation of the strike," said Mlugwana.
