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Mhlathuze Water pays workers housing allowance, but threat of another illegal strike not eliminated

Details

Mhlathuze WaterIOL reports that despite having made a last-minute back payment over the weekend to disgruntled workers who engaged in an illegal strike, Mhlathuze Water is still on edge over a still unresolved dispute.

Late last week hundreds of workers from the Richards Bay-based water entity downed tools, demanding their money. According to the workers, the bone of contention related to salary increments, housing and overtime allowances. They alleged that the management, dating back to the time of suspended chief executive Mthokozisi Duze, claimed that they had no money to pay them. As a result, a collective bargaining agreement reached at the Amanzi Bargaining Council where all water boards employees bargain, could not be implemented. On Friday, the workers engaged in a wildcat strike and police had to be called in to restore order. Under pressure, Mhlathuze Water had to issue an impromptu note to its clients, which include the City of Mhlathuze (Mpangeni-Richards Bay) and big factories to allay fears of water cuts. Later, they also issued an ultimatum to the striking workers to return to their posts or face the consequences. The workers were then back-paid for their outstanding housing allowances to avert a full-blown strike. However, there is still an outstanding issue as there is a dispute regarding when should the backpay start as some want it dated back to 2017. The workers are once again threatening to strike to force the water board to look at the matter. But, the water board said it did not anticipate a fresh strike since the workers were not, by law, permitted to strike.

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mavuso at IOL


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