10111 strike hits strikers’ pockets
Workers gone two months without pay
The two-month long unprotected police emergency call centre strike has left employees scrapping off their last cents.
The more than 5 000 call centre employees are demanding decent salaries.
Zoleka Hlatshwayo, 30, who has worked for the 10111 call centre for nearly 10 years said she was starting to feel the pressure of not getting paid.
Her debit orders have bounced for two months now.
“I have been on strike to fight for what is right. As a result I have not been paid and have been living off a credit card which it is left with only R350,” said Hlatshwayo from Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
Hlatshwayo said she was a breadwinner and supports a family of seven, including two of her own children.
“My monthly debit orders amount to R6 000.
“I had to make arrangements with the children’s school over late payment,” said Hlatshwayo.
“If the employer does not meet our demands, I will have to resign,” Hlatshwayo added.
Police officials have since been mending the phones.
The SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said they woul d continue with the strike until their demands were met.
“They don’t care because it is black people who work as call centre agents and, it is black people who experience the crimes,” said Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) which signed a resolution agreement with the police said most workers were back at work.
“We consulted with our members and as far as we are concerned all 950 of our 10111 workers are back at work,” spokesman Richard Mamabolo said.
Police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said: “Although SAPU was not a signatory to the agreement, it is enforceable and it [now] renders the strike action unprotected,” Naidoo said.
‘‘ If the employer does not meet our demands, I will resign