Rubbish woes intensify
Samwu blames ‘other elements’ for unruliness
THE municipal refuse workers’ strike in Nelson Mandela Bay intensified yesterday as angry staff toppled over dustbins and damaged public infrastructure in Port Elizabeth’s CBD.
Protesting in front of the Lillian Diedericks building in Govan Mbeki Avenue, the workers demanded back pay for working through their lunch hours and tea breaks in 2000.
As the strike entered its third day yesterday, the municipality said the no-work, no-pay principle would apply.
The city and union leaders had not reached an agreement by yesterday afternoon.
Refuse has not been collected since Monday, with the municipality saying contingency plans would be put in place to limit the effect of the strike on residents.
Govan Mbeki Avenue was filthy as concrete dustbins were detached from the ground, and railings along the Integrated Public Transport System route were unhinged.
SA Municipal Workers Union leaders distanced themselves from the unruliness, saying there were other elements involved. Samwu chairwoman Nomvula Hadi said their members had not damaged property in previous strikes.
“We have never damaged property and we condemn what happened here.
“There were some other elements [who] took advantage of the strike. However, the Samwu leadership is monitoring the situation.”
She said the union leadership had met deputy mayor Mongameli Bobani, who is also the political head of public health.
“The employer offered the workers a 12month once- off payment of the completion bonuses. We can’t allow that,” Hadi said. Samwu regional secretary Mqondisi Nodongwe said Bobani had agreed that stopping the completion bonus could not be an option as the workers had been receiving the extra money for years.
“During our meeting we were looking at possibilities for resolving the strike,” Nodongwe said.
“We believe that about 50% of what Bobani came up with can resolve the strike.
“He said he would take the proposal to the decision-makers and get back to us.
“The continuation of the strike [today] will depend on
‘ A no-work, no- pay principle will apply to those who are part of the strike
what was decided in the mayoral committee meeting.”
Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said: “A number of engagements and negotiations have been undertaken by the municipality to find an amicable solution to the matter, but so far no agreement has been reached.
“Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality would like to indicate to the striking employees that a no-work, no-pay principle will apply to those who are part of the strike.
“The municipality will also strictly monitor the strike for any incidents of lawlessness and destruction of property by striking employees.”
ANC councillor Andile Lungisa said: “The city is dirty. Some areas don’t have water.
“The next thing there will be no electricity or services.
“The city is collapsing in the hands of the DA.”