Cosatu backs SAMWU Cape Town strike 21-08-07

 

COSATU backs SAMWU Cape Town strike

The Congress of South African Trade Unions fully supports the Cape Metro branch of the South African Municipal Workers' Union, who have voted overwhelmingly to embark on an indefinite strike, starting on 28 August 2007.

The federation notes that City of Cape Town municipality has failed to negotiate in good faith with SAMWU on restructuring, but have unilaterally implemented new conditions of service and new pay structures, relocated staff without any agreement with the union and refused to abide with National Bargaining Council agreements.

We agree with SAMWU that Mayor Helen Zille must now take responsibility for any disruption of services caused by the strike action. She has had months to resolve the workers' grievances and has failed dismally to do so.

COSATU welcomes the fact that SAMWU will be mobilising the communities within the city who have been protesting about the current crisis in service to support the strike. We urge all members of our affiliates to join the mass march to the Civic Centre on Tuesday 28 August at 10am from Kaisersgracht, Cape Town.

An injury to one is an injury to all!