Buffalo City Metro solid waste department employees are allegedly staging a sit-in and refusing to work.
When Daily Dispatch visited the solid waste plant in Cambridge yesterday collection trucks were parked while the workers were idly sitting or standing.
One group, who refused to give their names for fear of victimisation, said the uncollected refuse across the metro was due to the sit-in, which started last Thursday.
In response to questions on the sit-in, BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the solid waste department had “been having a challenge on the availability of trucks due to mechanical problems”.
On Sunday, Gonubie residents dumped their uncollected household refuse outside the Buffalo City Metro offices.
The workers said they were protesting against inadequate safety gear, including lack of safety shoes, gloves and overalls.
Last year Daily Dispatch reported that 200 South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) refuse collectors staged a sit-in at the Cambridge plant over lack of protective gear.
The workers said that the last time they downed tools BCM had promised to address them on the matter, which was yet to happen.
Gonubie residents spent Saturday night and Sunday dumping garbage bags at the Gonubie municipal buildings after rubbish piled up outside their homes.
However, the metro acted swiftly and the area was cleared by Sunday night.
Gonubie resident Laura Kitching was amazed at how quickly BCM had managed to respond.
“They can make alternative plans when it suits them.
“Why did BCM not hire these trucks last week,” she asked.
“We pay enough in rates so that even if there is a strike, there should be enough money for them to make plans when there are such problems.”
Douglas Pegg said the uncollected rubbish in the streets was becoming a health hazard.
“We are not fighting with BCM. It’s just the Gonubie community taking a stand together because we care about where we live.
“But the municipality should have a system in place in case of strikes,” said Pegg. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Workers want safety gear before collecting trash
When Daily Dispatch visited the solid waste plant in Cambridge yesterday collection trucks were parked while the workers were idly sitting or standing.
One group, who refused to give their names for fear of victimisation, said the uncollected refuse across the metro was due to the sit-in, which started last Thursday.
In response to questions on the sit-in, BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the solid waste department had “been having a challenge on the availability of trucks due to mechanical problems”.
On Sunday, Gonubie residents dumped their uncollected household refuse outside the Buffalo City Metro offices.
The workers said they were protesting against inadequate safety gear, including lack of safety shoes, gloves and overalls.
Last year Daily Dispatch reported that 200 South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) refuse collectors staged a sit-in at the Cambridge plant over lack of protective gear.
The workers said that the last time they downed tools BCM had promised to address them on the matter, which was yet to happen.
Gonubie residents spent Saturday night and Sunday dumping garbage bags at the Gonubie municipal buildings after rubbish piled up outside their homes.
However, the metro acted swiftly and the area was cleared by Sunday night.
Gonubie resident Laura Kitching was amazed at how quickly BCM had managed to respond.
“They can make alternative plans when it suits them.
“Why did BCM not hire these trucks last week,” she asked.
“We pay enough in rates so that even if there is a strike, there should be enough money for them to make plans when there are such problems.”
Douglas Pegg said the uncollected rubbish in the streets was becoming a health hazard.
“We are not fighting with BCM. It’s just the Gonubie community taking a stand together because we care about where we live.
“But the municipality should have a system in place in case of strikes,” said Pegg. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos