Joburg Water has confirmed that workers have launched an unprotected strike, warning that already crisis-hit services could be impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strike, which began as a ‘go slow’ by workers, comes as the city faces multiple water failures and protracted outages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strike action started on Friday, 6 February, Joburg Water said. However, the union leading the strike, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), insisted that it was not a strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joburg Water said that workers undertook the action without following the legally required procedures. As such, it has been deemed an unprotected strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that continued participation in the action is on a no-work, no-pay basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Joburg Water is engaging the matter through established and appropriate labour relations channels to address the issues raised in a structured, lawful and responsible manner,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group said that it is “regrettable” that the strike is happening amid a significant water supply crisis and is placing additional strain on critical service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience and understanding shown by residents, businesses, and community stakeholders during this period.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The utility said that, as a precautionary measure, it would be implementing contingency measures, including the use of contractors as necessary, to minimise disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It urged employees to comply with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to reports, the strike action is over a pay dispute related to bonuses. Workers have taken exception to the utility allegedly switching to paying bonuses based on discretion rather than workers\u2019 performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Democratic Alliance called on the city’s executive to urgently intervene, as the action amounted to an “effective shutdown” of services, with no one attending to bursts and addressing leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This go-slow effectively means that there have been little to no teams attending to bursts, clearing sewage or supplying tankers. This comes at a time when some parts of Joburg have been without water for well over two weeks,” the party said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents across the City have had to endure prolonged outages from Midrand, to Melville to Bezuidenhout Valley as well as Crown Gardens and South Hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents of Sandton, Midrand, Alexandra and Diepsloot were recently left without water for over a week due to power outages and emergency repairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rand Water announced this week that the water system is under extreme pressure at the moment due to overconsumption in Johannesburg and Tshwane.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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