BCM told to recognise new union Demawusa

Buffalo City Metro has been forced by the CCMA to recognise newcomer union Demawusa (Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa).

An upbeat Demawusa provincial coordinator Siphiwo Ndunyana said: “We are different to the available unions as we don’t sleep under the same blanket as the employer.”

In a dig at other unions in the metro, he said: “We are very much against the vandalism of municipal property because we believe that the struggles of workers and those of residents are interrelated. They are human rights. We are for constructive engagement.”

In March, BCM municipal manager Andile Sihlahla temporary suspended recognition of Demawusa arguing that there were procedural problems, but on Tuesday the CCMA issued a new ruling. The commission stated: “The parties agree to settle the dispute as follows: BCM conceded that the union is entitled to exercise the rights referred to in clause 5 in terms of the recognition agreement concluded between the parties on 1 November 2018.”

Ndunyana said: “Following the suspension of our rights we took various actions including engaging with the employer, picketing and went to CCMA to force them to give us back our rights.”

Ndunyana said they had around 1,300 members in BCM.

BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said: "We will study the judgment and respond to the areas that are cited.”

Samwu regional secretary Zolani Ndlela said: “I would advise that they speak about themselves and not other unions.”