By Lungile Ntimba
Hundreds of South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) embarked on protected strike action at the uMhlathuze Local Municipality on Tuesday, citing various grievances.
These include delayed pay and allegations that the municipality has not fulfilled its commitment to settle overtime payments owed to workers from the previous month.
Since 2019, the union has repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate occupational safety standards and the insufficient provision of protective gear, which have reportedly gone unresolved.
SAMWU members held a peaceful march from the ZCBF grounds to the City of uMhlathuze offices in Richards Bay.
The protest culminated in the handing over of a memorandum of demands, received by uMhlathuze Chief Operating Officer (COO) Thembeka Khumalo.
The municipality has been given until Friday at 4pm to formally respond.
Key grievances also included inadequate safety and security measures for employees, non-compliance with PPE requirements, unfair labour practices, failure to fill vacant positions, and non-payment of overtime.
SAMWU regional secretary Zandile Gumede said the union had exhausted all avenues for resolution and was left with no choice but to take decisive action to defend workers’ rights.
“Despite repeated attempts to bring these issues to the Employer’s attention, they remain unresolved,” said Gumede.
“Samwu has exhausted all available avenues for resolution and has been compelled to take this decisive action to defend workers’ rights as the last course of action.”
Key grievances include unfair labour practices such as dismissals and victimisation of union members, alleged corruption involving “double parking” of funds, and misuse of public funds through the hiring of private attorneys for internal disciplinary matters instead of utilising existing internal resources.
The union also criticised the municipality for inadequate safety measures following a shooting incident, lack of compliance with employment equity requirements for persons with disabilities, and unsafe working conditions in dilapidated buildings without basic facilities.
SAMWU raised concerns over unfair recruitment practices, demanding permanent absorption of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers and Grade 6 salaries for all employees, alongside danger allowances for essential service workers.
It highlighted the appointment of unqualified temporary employees to senior management positions and alleged racial discrimination in the Electricity and Energy Services unit.
Furthermore, SAMWU accused the municipality of failing to implement a council-approved PPE policy, neglecting overtime payments, and leaving fully funded vacant positions unfilled.
The union called for audits of senior managers for accountability and urged an end to what it described as unlawful cost containment measures.
Gumede stressed that SAMWU would deliver a memorandum of demands, expecting a formal response by Friday.
She warned of escalating actions if the municipality failed to respond adequately.
“We are, however, forced as a union to take this course of action as a last resort, following the failure by the municipality to address these issues,” said Gumede.
“We need to stress that before we are municipal workers, we are community members, and as such, we are as a Union interested in seeing municipalities that work.”
“This fight is not just a fight for workers, but a fight for services, and as such, residents should join us in this noble course.”
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