BCM strike's R10k proposal, Komani rampage continues

Enoch Mgijima bosses’ tardiness costs city as workers run amok waiting for meeting

Samwu strikers went on another rampage trashing Komani on Thursday, while in BCM the union was cutting a deal for a R10,000 payout.
The total cost of the payout will be in the vicinity of R50m.
As protests intensified in Komani with flaming tyres, and bins and bags being kicked over and their contents strewn through the CBD, in BCM negotiations to end the strike went at a rapid pace after three weeks of infrastructure arson, intimidation, unruly behaviour, destruction, littering and no rubbish collection.
In both cities meetings between bosses and labour leaders were still under way as the Dispatch went to print.
A press briefing was cancelled at the last minute.
The Cosatu-affiliated union’s seemingly untouchable status – no investigations have been launched over BCM’s strike damage, estimated at R100m by the DA – continued as the union haggled over the terms of their payout from BCM.
Mayor Xola Pakati – negotiating under the Damoclean sword of ANC party boss and finance MEC Oscar Mabuyane to cut a deal by Friday or be pushed aside by a Bhisho administrator – agreed to a R10,000 payout for each of 5,000 employees.
The payout was seen as compensation for a stalled job evaluation process that was meant to start last year.
Samwu regional secretary Zolani Ndlela told thousands of employees at the Orient Theatre about the new offer.
R10,000 was BCM’s last offer after bosses threw out the unions’ first salvo of R100,000 per employee last week.
Later the unions dropped to R60,000.
The negotiations took place in a heated meeting between Samwu and Imatu leaders and BCM bosses on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, during a general meeting at the Orient Theatre on East London’s Esplanade, the workers said they would accept the “little” R10,000 payout but only on certain conditions:
They instructed the union bosses to tell BCM the money should be paid without tax deductions;
Workers were to be paid in full while on strike – there was to be no application of the no-work, no-pay legal rule; and
BCM’s court interdict against shop stewards would have to be taken back.
Ndlela said: “The money must be paid tomorrow (Friday) and the court interdict against shop stewards must be rescinded.”
In Enoch Mgijima municipality in Komani, Samwu secretary Thabo Ngwane said a meeting scheduled for earlier on Thursday was postponed to 5pm as members of the mayoral committee had not pitched for the original meeting.
The union is demanding “harmonisation” of salaries of the workers from the three former local municipalities – Tsolwana, Inkwanca and Lukhanji – that were merged to form Enoch Mgijima.
“We hope to resolve the problem today if the employer comes with a date when they are going to be implementing the harmonisation,” he said.
While waiting for the meeting, workers rampaged again, ripping open refuse bags and spewing waste in the streets.
They burned tyres in Owen Street, Robinson Road and the CBD.
Most of the town’s bins were toppled and thrown around.
Some workers stood in groups at the public gardens and outside the municipal budget and treasury department in Owen Street. Ngwane vowed that the strike would continue.
Enoch Mgijima mayoral officer manager Butsha Lali confirmed the meeting was scheduled for 5pm...

This article is reserved for DispatchLIVE subscribers.

Get access to ALL DispatchLIVE content from only R49.00 per month.

Already subscribed? Simply sign in below.

Already registered on HeraldLIVE, BusinessLIVE, TimesLIVE or SowetanLIVE? Sign in with the same details.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@dispatchlive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.