Reinstated Sol workers chased away ... again

THE TEN Sol Plaatje municipal employees who were reinstated in their positions in terms of an arbitration award, as from last month, said that they were once again chased away from their workplace yesterday.

The workers, who are employed in the political office of the executive mayor and the Speaker, added that they had not received any assistance after approaching the ANC provincial office last week.

“The municipality is abusing taxpayers’ money and there was no council decision taken regarding us not coming to work after we won the arbitration award. The fight is about factions and personalities. The ANC appears to be supporting the mayor,” they said.

“It is not our problem that the municipality finds itself in a predicament where other officials are occupying our desks, now that we have to return to our positions.

“We also advised the labour relations manager that we did not have anything in writing to advise us that we should not report for duty, pending the review of the outcome of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council ruling.

“We will continue tirelessly reporting for duty although we are continually being shifted from pillar to post.

“We are preparing to oppose the matter in the Labour Court and are considering all other options, where the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is assisting us.”

Municipal officials had promised to provide a directorate in writing by yesterday afternoon, although the officials indicated that they had not returned to the offices to collect the letters.

“The municipality is in contempt of the SALGBC outcome because the date by which we should have returned to work has already lapsed.”

ANC provincial spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe indicated that the matter was receiving the necessary attention.