eThekwini exploring refuse collection options as go-slow continues
eThekwini's Durban Solid Waste workers, who've been on
an illegal go-slow, say their industrial action will continue until an
agreement is reached on a fair distribution of overtime pay.
The municipality implemented a 50% overtime pay cut on Monday.
"The workers have evidence that there is an unequal distribution of overtime," Queen Mbatha, who is with the union, Imatu.
The union represents the majority of workers in the municipality.
"The law states if the hours are reduced from 32 hours a month for overtime to 16 hours, it must happen to everybody but apparently there are some people who are still working like 40 hours," says Mbatha.
"There must be a resolution which is going to speak to everybody who's working the same amount of overtime if there is overtime."
The strike's impacted the city's waste collection and street sweeping services.
Mbatha says meetings to resolve their issues are continuing.
In the meantime, eThekwini's exploring alternatives to pick up refuse.
"Our members are not actually on strike or go-slow. There was a commotion but all the workers have been instructed to do some work tomorrow," Mbatha says.
READ: Protesting DSW employees angry at overtime budget cuts
"The leadership is going to be meeting, so the shop stewards and the union leaders are going to be meeting with members of eThekwini and thereafter we will address the members accordingly.
"We received a report that they are not working but that was not our instruction."
