The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has condemned the possible dismissal of nearly 400 suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers, following their participation in an unprotected strike in March.
The officers used state vehicles to block highways, demanding increased pay and improved working conditions. The union has described the consequence management as draconian and called it an assault on workers’ rights.
SAMWU’s regional chairperson Chris Mavunda says, “It is regrettable that we happen to find ourselves in this kind of situation. Both parties, the City of Ekurhuleni and SAMWU, are seized with the matter in finding an amicable solution for the people who participated in this activity on the 19th of March.
“The majority of those are members of SAMWU, and hence we said we cannot sit back, and do nothing- we have to stand up, protect jobs because what is important for us as municipal workers, is that we need to save the jobs of these members who were misled. During our consultation, this has been confirmed by many of them that, actually, it was not their call, but they were misled,” Mavunda explains.
