‘No work, no pay’ must apply – DA
Illegal strikers must face disciplinary action
THE DA has condemned the illegal strike embarked upon by workers of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality during the course of last week.
DA caucus leader Chris de Wet said as no due process had been followed by the striking workers and their union, the strike was illegal.
“The DA, therefore, insists that the principle of ‘no work, no pay’ should be applied, and if workers do not return to work the municipal management must obtain an interdict against the illegally striking workers and their union.”
He said the party wanted disciplinary steps taken against those involved in the strike. “It is high time that these workers, who are holding towns to ransom with their illegal conduct every time they want something, be shown that the municipal management, as well as all the residents of Enoch Mgijima, have had enough of their thuggish behaviour.”
He said if workers had legitimate grievances, there were clear guidelines and procedures to follow in terms of the applicable labour laws.
“Nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands, especially at the expense of everybody else.”
Among other things and as a result of the current strike and the strike last year, the municipality was in crisis with regard to its management, finances, infrastructure and service delivery.
“Everybody is suffering, from business and commerce to the middle-class, but mostly the poor and destitute. The illegal strike is not only causing direct financial losses and inconvenience to residents, but also far-reaching indirect consequences, as Komani and other towns in the municipality are destabilised. This again impacts negatively on job creation, investments, infrastructure and the improvement of the lives of the residents.”
De Wet said the strikers had secure, well-paid jobs, unlike many other residents.
“To be a civil servant means to be there to serve the ratepayers and residents who pay their generous salaries every month, instead of holding them to ransom and treating them with no respect at all.”