#Pikitup: Unions declare victory

Samwu is claiming victory after the five-week unprotected Pikitup strike, saying: “It was a battle over rands and cents, but we got there.”

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Johannesburg - The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is claiming victory after the five-week unprotected strike, saying it has finally received what it has been asking for since 2011 - better salaries.

Samwu regional secretary Meisie Sekaledi said Pikitup workers had been battling for better wages for years.

“Now that we have come to an agreement and it’s been accepted by members and officers, we can say it’s a victory,” she said.

However, Sekaledi said she could not reveal numbers, but that members were happy.

“It was a battle over rands and cents, but we got there,” Sekaledi said.

She said that things were back to normal and all members were back at work.

Speaking on the union’s demand that Pikitup managing director Amanda Nair be fired, Sekaledi said they were awaiting the results of pending investigations.

Nair is on special leave until May 3, suffering an undisclosed illness.

All 3 800 workers who were found guilty of contravening two court interdicts preventing them from striking were to have a chance to present their cases in mitigation of their sanctions today.

Pikitup spokesman Jacky Mashapu said the presiding officer would release his findings and recommended sanctions soon.

In the meantime, Pikitup has started a double-shift system to clear backlogs of refuse removal.

The cost will be cheaper than the R1 million a day spent on outside contractors during the strike.

Pikitup workers have started with their normal scheduled waste management services.

Normal operations could be slower than usual due to excess waste which had accumulated for weeks, said Mashapu.

Complaints regarding refuse collection and other related queries and suggestions can be directed to the 24-hour hotline 011 286 6009.

Illegal dumping can be logged on the Joburg Roads Agency Find and Fix App and downloaded to cellphones for free from the Google Play Store.

Visit the Pikitup website on www.pikitup.co.za for updates, garden sites and the refuse collection calendar.

anna.cox@inl.co.za

ilanit.chernick@inl.co.za

@annacox

@lanc_02

The Star