Magistrate calls Pikitup, SAMWU to account on the ongoing illegal strike

22 March 2016

 

The Johannesburg Labour Court on Friday, 18 March 2016, reserved judgment after calling Pikitup and the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), to account on unenforced interdicts issued to halt the ongoing illegal protests by workers.

 

This is after Pikitup workers, who are members of SAMWU, refused to return to work a week ago following their participation in an illegal work stoppage that saw them block roads to burn tyres, trash the city centre and damage property. They further ignored the union’s national office call to return to work. The workers were also issued with pre-dismissal notices by Pikitup on Friday, 11 March 2016, but ignored these as well.

During the hearing, the workers took to the court precinct in Braamfontein and trashed it before moving on to the city’s offices at the Metropolitan Centre where they also continued to damage city property around the building. Judgment was reserved after both Pikitup and SAMWU submitted explanations for the unenforced interdicts, which were twice issued by the court.

The city sincerely apologises to residents and businesses for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing illegal work stoppage. We remain committed to continue finding better ways to ensure delivery of the disrupted waste management services as speedily as possible.

Pikitup will continue with its contingency clean-up operations in affected areas throughout the long weekend. Residents and businesses are encouraged to leave their bins outside for collection, which will continue into the night.