The strike by Pikitup workers will continue until commitments for change by the City of Johannesburg were put on paper, SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) said on Monday.
“We are satisfied with some of the city’s proposals, but we still need to take these to the workers … we are not willing to call off the strike until we have commitments on paper from the city,” said spokesperson Tahir Sema.
Negotiations to resolve the dispute between the city and Samwu were last held on Saturday.
They are expected to continue on Monday.
Sema said he was confident that a resolution would be reached within the next few days.
“We are waiting for the wage dispute to be levelled out and for an assurance that contract employees will be made permanent.
“We need this in writing before we stop striking because since 2008 the city has been making promises and breaking them, and the workers have lost trust in them,” Sema said.
Samwu was also demanding an investigation into corruption and nepotism, which it claims have led to the wage disparities.
City spokesperson Gabu Tugwana said there was no reason for workers to continue striking.
“We [the city] have addressed all the issues brought to us by Samwu, they [the workers] have no reason to continue striking.
“We hope that with such experienced leaders they can rise above and stop striking,” he said.
“We are confident that the issues will be resolved soon, ” Tugwana said.
Meanwhile, Pikitup managing director Zami Nkosi resigned on Saturday night.
“A successor for Mr Nkosi will be announced by the end of next week after the sitting of the mayoral committee,” said Tugwana. – Sapa