City engages with SAMWU

The City of Cape Town notes today's strike action by some members of South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). The City fully respects the right of workers to exercise their democratic right to strike. However, we also believe that ongoing constructive discussion is more beneficial in the long-term.

In this regard, since the City received a strike notice, we have proactively sought to engage SAMWU representatives in an attempt to avert disruptive strike action and to meaningfully address their concerns. While these engagements did not avert today's strike action, agreement was reached on a number of process issues that will guide engagements going forward for finding solutions.

The following solutions were proposed:

1. Grievances and relationship building: this will bring together all directorates, senior line management and shop stewards in a facilitated process to deal with outstanding grievances. A formal monitoring mechanism to further strengthen the management of unresolved complaints will be established.

2. Time off management for shop stewards: agreed rules and procedures for managing this issue will be developed.

3. Shift, TASK and related issues: this will be discussed in the grievance and relationship-building facilitated sessions.

In all of these areas, the City is committed to strengthening our systems where reasonably possible in discussion with SAMWU representatives. We are hopeful that they will further strengthen our relations with SAMWU and help to avoid future industrial action.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, May 20 2014

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