EThekwini municipal workers protest for higher wages
EThekwini municipal workers have gone on strike demanding higher wages that are equal to their counterparts in other metros.
EThekwini municipal workers have downed their tools in demand for better wages.
SAMWU WORKERS DEMANDS
The workers, who are members of the South African Municipal Workers Union(SAMWU), demand equal pay to their counterparts in other metros.
Speaking to Ground Up, SAMWU Regional Secretary, Xolani Dube, revealed a near R4000 wage disparity. A general worker in eThekwini earns around R10 000, while workers in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni earn R13 900.
“We are all metropolitan municipality workers…We will be waiting for the eThekwini municipality to respond to our memorandum and won’t do any work,” said Dube.
Durban – Umgeni Road: #Strike Municipal workers disrupting traffic in the Springfield area – some stone throwing also reported pic.twitter.com/ixCdqiHfca
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) February 28, 2024
DA CONDEMNS ETHEKWINI MUNICIPAL WORKERS’ STRIKE
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance(DA), says the strike has affected service delivery. Departments affected by the protest include Durban Solid Waste (DSW), Water and Sanitation (EWS), Parks, and Roads.
DA councillor Mzamo Billy calls on senior municipal officials to act swiftly.
“Urgently attend to the workers, resolve what is possible and or deal decisively with workers who are engaged in an illegal protest”, says Billy.
However, the municipality has dismissed claims of effects on service delivery. According to spokesperson Gugu Sisilana, only 500 of the municipality’s 27 000 workers are on strike.
The municipality warns that the no work, no pay principle will apply.