Angry City workers take to the streets

‘Give us back our overtime’ – SAMWU

We are here because of the arrogant City officials who think this is their own spaza shop

SCORES of City workers affiliated to the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) took their grievances over unilateral changing of policies and lack of transformation in some city departments, to the Civic Centre yesterday.

The workers comprised of City firefighters, MyCiTi bus drivers and Expanded Public Works employees.

Samwu spokesperson Thulani Diniso said in the past the workers had been met with arrogance when they raised issues about their demands.

“They were so arrogant and did not want to entertain our demands.

“We are here because of the arrogant City officials who think this is their own spaza shop.

“The City claims that they belong to all of us, but this leads us to think it is only for some of us.”

He added that they wanted nothing more than to be compensated for the hours they work.

“We are here to be given what we deserve. We want our overtime, we want the allowance to be abolished and our overtime to be brought back.”

A firefighter who asked not to be named said: “We work 24 hours, most of it without sleeping.

“We work 240 hours a month, but we get exploited because we get paid for 160 hours.

“The City has never negotiated in good faith. We are just asking to be paid for the overtime we work, as per the conditions of the Basic Employment Act.”

A MyCiTi driver, who also didn’t want to be named, said: “We are now working for different labour brokers despite wearing the same uniform, and that sees us getting paid differently for the same jobs.”

City executive director of Social Services Ernest Sass received the memorandum on behalf of the City manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo, who was at a council meeting.

“The City has advised Samwu at today’s march that a consolidated response will be provided to their memorandums of demands within the seven days, as contained in the memorandum handed over today.”