admin
“Enough is enough, if local authorities do not rectify these issues within the next two weeks, we will use our right as enshrined in Section 104 (a) (i and ii) of the Labour Act to call for workers at all urban councils to down tools. We are also demanding an immediate stop to the harassment of union members and its leadership,” said Mr Mahlangu.
“As of last month, Redcliff had not paid workers for 26 months, while Bulawayo, Gwanda, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Gokwe, Hwange and Marondera were two months behind. Rusape, Victoria Falls and Plumtree owed workers a month’s salary,” he said.
Mr Mahlangu said Harare, Beitbridge, Gweru, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Mvurwi, Chipinge, Ruwa, Zvishavane and Mutare, were the 11 local authorities that were up-to-date with salary payments. “We demand the immediate payment of owing salaries, remission of all union dues, and a stop to harassment of union leaders and members. In two weeks time we will be calling a strike if these issues are not resolved. We have tried dialogue but it seems the employer is not ready to take us seriously,” said Mr Mahlangu.
He said most urban council employees were almost destitute as they struggled to pay rent, feed and clothe their families or send their children to school because it was always unclear when they would get their salaries at the end of every month.
“When union dues are stolen or illegally borrowed, pension contributions are not remitted, we can only demand that affected retirees remain in employment until their terminal benefits are paid,” said Mr Mahlangu.
He said UCAZ was going against the dictates of section 116 (2) (c) of the Urban Councils Act by refusing to let workers form an employment council.
The ZUCWU general-secretary said UCAZ was also defying Section 56 and 57 of the Labour Relations Act Chapter 28 of 2001, by refusing to let the union be represented at the Local Government Board.
He said the union was also demanding an immediate rectification of the state of affairs.
The Redcliff Town Clerk, Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza, could not be reached for comment as her secretary said she was in a meeting.
“You can leave your questions and contact details and she will get back to you,” said the secretary.
However, by the time of going to press, she had not responded.
Redcliff Mayor Councillor Joseph Matewa’s mobile phone rang without being answered.
The Bulawayo City Council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, said the ultimatum was an unfortunate development.
“A strike would negatively affect service delivery. It is unfortunate because like we have always said, the City of Bulawayo is aware and concerned about the plight of its workers. It is economic hardships faced by everyone that result in such situations. However, we are in constant engagement with employees to come up with ways to overcome the challenges we face,” said Mrs Mpofu.
However, the Plumtree Town Council secretary Mr Davies Dumezweni Luthe, denied that the council was in arrears.
“At the moment, we do not have a salary backlog. We may owe on the other issues but we have a strategy in place to clear the debt,” said Mr Luthe.
He said while it was ZUCWU’s prerogative to call for a strike, it was unfair for the union to say councils were taking workers for granted. “It is not by choice that we owe what we owe. The situation regarding the economy is the cause of all this. It is unfair to say we do not care,” said Mr Luthe.
Contacted for comment, UCAZ first vice-president and Bulawayo’s Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo, said ZUCWU had not formally presented its position to UCAZ.
“UCAZ issues come through the executive. If an issue has not been formally presented to us and we have not discussed it, I cannot comment on it,” said Clr Moyo.
Online Reporter