MUNICIPAL workers of the Blue Crane Municipality in Somerset East reported for work on Wednesday, November 7 after striking for almost a month.
This is according to Thabiso Klaas, Municipal Manager of the Blue Crane Municipality.
Workers were on strike since October 10. The bone of contention was the late delivery of protective clothing for the workers. The clothing was handed out on Tuesday, Klaas said.
He admitted that there were many challenges regarding the appointment of a service provider to deliver the protective clothing in June or July.
Service providers who had reacted to the first advertisement placed by the municipality, did not meet the criteria and therefore a second advertisement had to be placed. “This long drawn-out process caused the delayed provision of the necessary goods.”
According to Klaas, workers belonging to the two trade unions, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), embarked on the illegal strike.
The municipality had applied for and been granted a court interdict by the Labour Court declaring this action as illegal and unprotected.
The two unions were advised of the ruling, as well as the fact that the protective clothing was on the way. Both unions acknowledged receipt of the letters, but did not respond and still the workers stayed away.
Following this, some Somerset East residents decided that they’d had their fill and paid a visit to the municipal offices where they allegedly intimidated administrative and office staff.
This was reported to the police but they could not lend assistance because no damage had been done to the premises.
The office staff were advised to go home and they did not return to work for five days.
Klaas said the rule of “no work, no pay” would be enforced.
