Municipal strikes cause havoc
2011-08-18
Lise Beyers
MUNICIPAL workers downed tools on Monday, causing havoc in the streets of Paarl. Rubbish was strewn and even set alight in various streets. Early on Monday morning, when the strike officially kicked off, approximately 400 striking members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) took to the streets, marching on the civic centre in the Berg River Boulevard. Striking workers are demanding an 18% salary increase opposed to the 6,08% offered and agreed to two years ago in an agreement with the South African Local Government Association (Salga). The wage agreement was part of a three year collective agreement with union, with a salary increase of 13% (2009-10) and 8,48% (2010-11). For the current year (2011-12) the agreement provides for a 6,08% increase, which effectively equates to an average of 9% per year over the three year period. Samwu now disputes the agreed upon 6,08% and instead demands an 18% increase or R2000 on top of current salaries due to cost of living increases. During Monday’s protest, Drakenstein Executive Mayor Gesie van Deven-ter accepted a memorandum from Samwu highlighting their demands and the reasons for them. Van Deventer then addressed the rowdy crowd saying that she understood their grievances. She also said that she was making sure that all her councillors are working hard to earn their salaries and that no municipal monies will be squandered. Hereafter the crowd slowly but surely dispersed, while disrupting the streets by turning over dust bins. A heavy police contingent was present to keep an eye out for unruly behaviour. No arrests were made. On Tuesday, a small contingency of striking workers were back at the civic centre toyi-toiying for increases. They intimidated and even chased away various residents who were trying to enter the building to pay municipal accounts. There were also reports of vehicle having there tyres flattened by strikers. Most of the municipal offices throughout Drakenstein were not operational this week. Private contractors have been assigned to collect rubbish
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