BCM workers demand the removal of acting supply chain manager

Buffalo City Metro workers want to see the back of acting supply chain general manager Mercy Fraser, whom they accuse of unfair treatment and victimisation.

SA Municipal Workers Union members have asked city manager Andile Sihlahla to intervene.

In a letter to Sihlahla and CFO Ntsikelelo Sigcau, dated July 15 and signed by Samwu shop steward Themba Calverley, Fraser is accused of non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

Calverley claimed the manager forced staff to return to work despite their contact with a Covid-positive person.

Workers also claimed Fraser intimidated and threatened them.

In June she reportedly wrote to nine workers whowere accused of leaving their stations and not returning to work, allegedly without approval from their managers or supervisors.

The nine, said Fraser’s letter, failed to provide a valid reason for their absence from work.

Fraser wrote that she noted with concern that they did not report for work for two to five days in June.

Two other employees say they were accused of intimidation and threats via text messages.

In July, 11 employees were told their salaries would have deductions as they had failed to report for duty. But Samwu intervened and the salaries were not docked.

The Dispatch was unable to make contact with Fraser at the time of writing on Thursday.

BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya declined to comment on the issues raised by but said: “Even though we are aware that those behind publicly peddling these allegations do so with the sole intention of damaging Ms Fraser’s reputation, we have to respect our policies.”

He said standard operating procedures set out by the Covid19 command centre clearly stipulated the actions managers need to follow when dealing with coronavirus cases.

“And as such I would caution anyone not to believe untested and serious Covid conduct allegations, as we are dealing with them internally to establish the facts.”

Calverley complained to Sihlahla saying Sigcau had failed to address workers’ grievances.

“Their pleas have fallen on deaf ears and our members still endure hardships, victimisation and intimidation and insolence.

“Reporting lines are not respected and followed, noncompliance with Covid-19 regulations, threats and intimidation by the acting general manager,” Calverley claimed.

“Please be advised that five days have lapsed since the grievances were submitted and it is now referred to you for resolution.”

Calverley said workers would not back down.

“It is for this reason that the workers demand her [Fraser’s] removal, failing which may result in the appropriate action being taken.”

Please be advised that five days have lapsed since the grievances were submitted and it is now referred to you for resolution