Update

GEORGE NEWS - Following a peaceful picket by members of Nehawu (National Education Health & Allied Workers' Union) last week Friday (31 March) in front of the Department of Transport and Public Works in St John's Street, the department has yet been unable to get hold of the frustrated contractors to organise a meeting.

Feedback from the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure points out that the normal procedures for logging complaints have not been followed, and in addition, since the issuing of the memorandum, they have been unable to make contact with the aggrieved union members despite numerous attempts via telephone to set up a meeting.

Nehawu’s regional coordinator Mawa Brown said they are frustrated by the recruitment and tender processes, which they feel is excluding black contractors. Nepotism and racism, he says, are two huge factors they hope management will deal with. The protesters demanded feedback from management, within 14 days (mid-April).

Departmental Spokesperson Jandré Bakker said the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure has taken note of the recent picket. “We find the picket perplexing as the department has a formal, established complaints mechanism in place,” he said. “The process entails, in broad strokes, a face-to-face meeting, a complete investigation into allegations, feedback to the contractors, and a formal report to the Accounting Officer.

“A commitment was made for an independent team from the Supply Chain Management unit to meet with the contractors in person to understand the nature of their complaints, as well as to register and open an appropriate complaint for formal investigation.

“The Department has been unable to get hold of the author of the document despite numerous attempts via telephone and email to set up this meeting.”

Previous article: Picketing in St John's Street

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’