Pikitup workers have concerns but are not on strike 

Waste management workers from the Pikitup entity in Johannesburg are not on strike, most of them will be returning back to their workplaces. Pikitup management is refusing to allow some workers back to their respective workplaces. Waste removal services are to be fully restored immediately.

Workers are not happy with Pikitup's biometric clock-in system and the lack of consultation in its implementation, workers want the employer to provide travel arrangements, and they not happy that the management took away the half day off they were given once a month - as a result of overtime work.

We will attempt to resolve these issues with management as soon as possible. If management agrees, we will be meeting them in the coming weeks to finalize workers legitimate workplace concerns.

The workers demands are both reasonable and legitimate. Workers should have been consulted on all of the above issues. These are concerns which are affecting their day to day activities. 

Contrary to what the employer and the media are reporting, this is not a strike. The union is currently in discussion with workers and the employer to break the dead-lock. 

Depending on the managements response to workers demands, we will strategize on the most appropriate way forward in the coming weeks. 

Statement issued by Tahir Sema, South African Municipal Workers' Union of COSATU, May 6 2013

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