NUMSA backs SAMWU Strike

25 August 2011

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) the dependable and reliable ally of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) pledges its unwavering support and solidarity on the ongoing industrial action for a living wage by municipal workers.

This industrial action by municipal workers should serve as a declaration of war against tenderpreneurs who have wrestled and captured the local government for its own narrow and primitive accumulation strategy as a result of the privatisation and outsourcing of key basic services.

The strike should also be about demanding the retention of basic services that have been outsourced to the hands of the private markets.

The current wage demand increase of 10% by workers is in line with the electoral commitments of the ANC-led Alliance government of creating decent work and building sustainable livelihoods.

Therefore, this industrial action should not only be about wage increases, but should be used to demand the regulation of Municipal Manager’s and Director – General’s pay to be in line with an ordinary skilled worker, in order to close the apartheid wage gap.

The municipal workers should also use this industrial action to call for the establishment of Tender Boards, so that those who do business with municipalities are subjected to an open and transparent process to deal with corruption, nepotism and fraudulent awarding of tenders to pals and extended family members of those in high positions of power and influence.

We urge municipal workers to remain firm and resolute in their struggle for a living wage and improved conditions of employment, and eradication of corruption.

Contact:

Castro Ngobese, National Spokesperson – 073 299 1595

Source

Numsa Press Release