Sowetan

Pikitup looks to temps as strike bites

Protestors say casual workers must be absorbed

Pikitup is appealing to residents who are able to dispose of their waste at its integrated waste management facilities to do so.

Pikitup yesterday said it would engage casual workers until a solution is found as the “wildcat” strike continues.

The entity spokespers­on Muzi Mkhwanazi said about 10 depots were affected and only two were operationa­l after workers downed tools yesterday.

“It is a wildcat strike since no formal notificati­on was sent to Pikitup management notifying it of the impending action,” he said.

He said protesters were using intimidati­on and threats to prevent workers from leaving the depot.

He said the entity would engage casual workers until a solution was found.

He said rubbish was not collected, but hoped the issue would be addressed and waste collection resumed.

On Friday, Pikitup deployed the Public Order Policing (POP) unit to remove protesters who were obstructin­g depots, ensuring employees could resume waste collection services for City of Joburg residents.

Protesters, including expanded public works programme (EPWP) employees, whose contracts were expiring, and community members, blocked entrances to the Norwood, Selby, Marlboro, Randburg, Diepsloot, Midrand and Roodepoort depots. They were all demanding permanent employment with the waste management company.

Sowetan yesterday spoke to residents of the city, who shared their dissatisfa­ction about the state of the city.

“It is quite disappoint­ing and embarrassi­ng that the city of Joburg is in this state, it is dirty we have to walk through this rubbish,” said one resident.

Spokespers­on of the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Unions of SA, Meshack Ntshauba, said that they want Pikitup to absorb about 300 casual workers.

“We want these workers to be absorbed by Pikitup, not employed through these contractor­s who were recently appointed because the tender awarding was not done according to the book.

“We suspect that all the companies that have been awarded tenders for the casual workers at Pikitup do not meet certain criteria,” he said.

However, SA Municipal Workers Union regional secretary Thobani Nkosi said due diligence was done.

“The allegation­s are baseless, and these contractor­s were appointed by the book, we were there as observers and we can assure you that proper procedures were followed.”

Mkhwanazi said POP units were instructed to arrest and remove lawbreaker­s to allow Pikitup staff to do their work.

He said Pikitup remained committed to engaging with protesters’ representa­tives to find an amicable solution.

“These efforts are expected to facilitate the reopening of the depots soon,” he said.

The entity encouraged residents in affected areas to dispose of their waste at Pikitup’s integrated waste management facilities while the matter was being resolved.