CITY OF CAPE TOWN
MEDIA RELEASE
12 AUGUST 2011
Heightened security and contingency plans in place for strike action commencing on Monday
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has confirmed that strike action by its members will commence on Monday 15 August 2011.
Last night, the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) gave notice that strike action by its members will commence on Friday 19 August 2011. Both strikes will run until wage negotiations with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) are finalised. SALGA has confirmed that it cannot afford to meet the wage demands and the duration of the strike is unclear at this stage.
“The City of Cape Town reiterates its position that the wage demands are unrealistic. If implemented they will force the City to reprioritise its budget to meet these wage increases, thereby impacting on service delivery and on the City’s ability to fill vacancies”, said Alderman Demetri Qually, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services.
SAMWU has submitted two march applications to the City for the delivery of memorandums. On Monday 15 August 2011, SAMWU will march to the Civic Centre to hand over a memorandum to the City. SAMWU will again march to the Civic Centre on Tuesday 16 August 2011, to hand over a memorandum to representatives of SALGA.
Both marches will start at approximately 11:30, following the same route from Keizergracht, via Oswald Pirow and Hertzog Boulevard reaching the Civic Centre at approximately 13:00. Traffic Services will be on duty to direct traffic, but motorists are warned that congestion may occur and are advised to avoid the area.
The City will heighten its security measures at all municipal buildings across the city to prevent possible violent outbreaks that may put its staff and visitors in danger. As of Monday, all visitors to municipal buildings must please ensure that they have proof of an appointment with a staff member in the building, or their utility bill as reference to gain access to the building. There will be no thoroughfare through the Civic Centre. The City apologises for the inconvenience, but this is a necessary step to ensure the safety of all visitors and staff.
The principle of ‘no work no remuneration’ will apply to all municipal staff on strike. Residents are requested to please report any acts of violence or vandalism related to the strike as well as incidents of intimidation or harassment of employees not participating in the strike or members of the public to the Metro Police Control Centre on 021 596 1999.
As municipal services are going to be affected, contingency measures have been put in place to minimise the impact on service delivery.
Employees engaged in designated essential services, including City Health, Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement Services, Fire and Emergency Services and the provision of water, electricity and sanitation may not participate in strike action.
The strike is expected to affect solid waste services as most of the Solid Waste Management Department staff are allowed to strike for a certain time period. Affected services include refuse removal in formal and informal areas, street sweeping, emptying of public bins and the removal of illegal dumping, as well as services to businesses and industries.
The City will endeavour to remove refuse on the scheduled refuse collection day, but this is dependent on the availability of resources and staff on that day. Should refuse not be collected by 21:00, residents are requested to please move their bins back inside their properties and put them out, together with any accumulation of bagged refuse, the following week on the scheduled day. In informal settlements, residents must please make use of the shipping containers placed throughout the area. The City will keep residents informed of the unfolding situation or amendments to this arrangement as required.
Residents are urged to assist the City during this time by not dumping waste and by not letting wet waste accumulate if not collected. The following drop-off sites will be open on Mondays to Saturdays from 08:30 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 14:00:
Atlantis -Dassenberg Road
Belhar -Adam Tas Road
De Grendel -Cnr 5th Ave and Bertie Genade St, Parow
Delft -Fabriek Street
Gordon’s Bay -Sir Lowry’s Pass Road
Hout Bay -Main Road, near Mandela Road
Killarney -Potsdam Road
Kommetjie -Kommetjie Road
Ladies Mile -Ladies Mile Road, Constantia
Macassar -Kramat Road
Ravensmead -Industrial Ring Road
Retreat -10th Avenue
Schaapkraal -Old Schaapkraal Road
Sea Point -Tramway Road
Simon’s Town -Blue Waters Close
Tygerdal -Orange Street
Welgelegen -Akademie Street
Wynberg -Rosmead Avenue
Woodstock -Beach Road
Drop-off facilities are also available at the following disposal facilities:
Athlone Transfer Station -Off Bunga Drive
Bellville South Landfill Site -Off Sacks Circle
Coastal Park Landfill Site -Off Baden Powell Drive
Kraaifontein Facility -Cnr Maroela and Sandringham Roads
Vissershok Landfill Site -Off Frankdale Road
For any queries regarding the drop-off facilities, residents can contact 021 442 8136.
For any other enquiries, residents can contact the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089.
The City apologises for any inconvenience during this difficult period and asks residents for their patience and cooperation to ensure that the city stays clean and safe in the weeks to come.
End
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
No comments:
Post a Comment