Durban - The eThekwini Municipality has informed residents and businesses refuse collection and street-sweeping services have resumed.
“This follows an agreement between management and the striking workers over overtime matters which had led to the illegal work stoppage this week,” the municipality’s communications unit said.
The municipality asked residents to take out their refuse bags on scheduled collection days.
It regretted the inconvenience caused by disruption to services.
On Tuesday morning the municipality said waste and street-sweeping services were interrupted due to an illegal work stoppage.
“Cleansing and Solid Waste employees have embarked on this work stoppage due to the overtime cut that was implemented on August 1, 2022.”
About two weeks ago, DSW employees downed tools and marched to the city hall to submit their grievances after the eThekwini Municipality cut their overtime.
Also on Tuesday, DA eThekwini deputy caucus leader Mzamo Billy wrote to the acting city manager, Musa Mbhele, to request urgent and decisive action against DSW employees partaking in the ongoing illegal strike.
“This is after the municipality, today (Tuesday), confirmed that there is yet another illegal work stoppage by DSW employees due to the council-approved 50% overtime budget cut. These incidents affect waste collection services in many parts of the city and have left residents and businesses in disarray,” Billy said.
He demanded clarity on:
1. What action is being taken against employees to prevent ongoing illegal DSW protests?
2. How many employees have been held accountable and face disciplinary action for engaging in an illegal DSW protest?
3. Confirmation of whether or not the principle of no work, no pay will be used for those DSW employees involved in illegal protests.
4. What contingency plan/s are in place currently and for the future to clear waste as a result of these illegal DSW protests taking place?
“While employees have a right to protest in a legally protected manner, what DSW employees are currently doing is demanding and holding the city at ransom to work illegal hours. It has been widely reported that there are DSW employees who have been working over 200 hours per month, and this must never be allowed to happen,” Billy said.
Daily News