City puts contingency plans in place during planned strike action

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

 

19 MAY 2014

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

City puts contingency plans in place during planned strike action

 

Tomorrow, 20 May 2014, members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) will participate in a legal march to the Cape Town Civic Centre.

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. The City will endeavour to service residential wheelie bins on the scheduled refuse collection day, but this is dependent on the availability of resources and staff on that day.Residents are advised to leave their bins out on their scheduled collection day until 21h00. If the bin is NOT collected they are to bring it back onto their premises and only put it out again on their next scheduled collection day. Any additional refuse gathered over that period may be put in black bags and put out with their bin on their next scheduled collection day and it will be removed with the contents of the bin.

The march will commence at 09:30 at Kaizergracht and will end at 14:30 at the Civic Centre.  Traffic Services will be on duty to direct traffic, but motorists are warned that congestion may occur and are advised to avoid the area.

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.

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.

The City’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers will be on standby to assist and support the South African Police Services who are responsible for public order policing.

As municipal services may 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. The City will endeavour to service residential wheelie bins on the scheduled refuse collection day, but this is dependent on the availability of resources and staff on that day.Residents are advised to leave their bins out on their scheduled collection day until 21h00. If the bin is NOT collected they are to bring it back onto their premises and only put it out again on their next scheduled collection day. Any additional refuse gathered over that period may be put in black bags and put out with their bin on their next scheduled collection day and it will be removed with the contents of the bin.

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 City would like to thank residents for their patience.

End

 

Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Priya Reddy, Media Manager, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 4684 or Cell: 084 549 3935, E-mail:Priya.Reddy@capetown.gov.za