The Johannesburg Multi-Party Government is incensed by the acts of destruction committed by labour unions during an unprotected strike in the Inner City, which flowed onto the M1 freeway, causing unspeakable delays to the flow of traffic, goods, and services. It is also unacceptable that the Acting City Manager, Mr Bryne Maduka, was held against his will during this ordeal. 

 

On the Political Facilitated Agreement (PFA) of April 2016, which unions stated as the basis of their protest action, we have been open about the budgetary limitations of its full implementation, and we agreed on a way forward. 

 

 It must be placed on record that the City has played open cards with unions, and we jointly agreed on a phased implementation of the PFA, which began in September of this year. The primary objective of the PFA was to attempt to and resolve a litany of complaints related to salary disparities that existed across the City at the time (2011 – 2016 administration). 

 

Since coming into office, the Multi-Party Government has been deliberate about engaging with unions and the rights of employees in the workplace; and the relationship over the last year has been marked by mutual respect, trust, and open dialogue. 

 

When we assumed our responsibilities, we found that the relationship between the City and organised labour was in a poor state, and in some instances non-existent. 

 

This was due to a lack of constructive engagement and the politicisation of the relationship between employer and employee. Hence, the Acting City Manager, Mr Bryne Maduka, as the employer is in communication with labour leadership at all times, including today. 

 

Further to this, the Multi-Party Government re-established Local Labour Forum (LLF) to promote a healthy relationship between employer and organised labour. The MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Leah Knott, participates in the LLF as a means of practicing political oversight. 

 

Moreover, in order to better the working conditions of officials, we have updated the locomotion allowance, which was last reviewed in 1999, meaning that City officials who use their personal vehicles in the execution of their service delivery duties were being reimbursed at 1999 petrol prices, which affected their pockets and service delivery standards. 

 

The events are in complete contradiction to the work done to foster an open and constructive relationship between the City and labour. 

 

Despite Thursday’s events, we have agreed to sit around the negotiating table on Friday with labour unions in order to iron out issues that may still exist. We will also use the opportunity to register our anger and displeasure with the unruly behaviour of union members. 

 

The events cannot simply be brushed over, I will therefore be exploring the mechanisms that will empower the City to fully investigate the events of Thursday in a transparent and independent manner. 

 

The Multi-Party Government and City are committed to the rights of unions and working together to repair and rebuild Joburg, but this can never come at the expense of the Rule of Law.