Samwu wants MM gone

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Ultimately they would want to see the departure of Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz from George Municipality.

This is the message portrayed during the strike and protest action by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) last week when a group of about 120 people, carrying a cardboard coffin, chanted "Down with Gratz!" in front of George Municipality.

According to local Samwu official Peter Africa, the strike on Thursday 27 July, as many before, stem from issues with the municipality of which some date back as far as 2018; issues that remain unresolved as they are "not taken seriously by senior management and supervisors in all directorates across George Municipality".

Samwu planned a strike for May this year, but an interim interdict was granted on the intended strike action.

He said that neither the previous MM nor the current one [Gratz] take their complaints and issues seriously, therefore nothing has been resolved.

"The grievances listed reflect on the challenges faced by the entire workforce of George Municipality. The ongoing strikes to date were because of the accounting officer's attitude of ignoring workers' issues and displaying a sense of undermining Samwu as a nationally recognised trade union with equal organisational rights," said Africa.

It is for this reason that members took part in the planned, peaceful protest march that started in Thembalethu last Thursday.

Protesters slowly walked down Nelson Mandela Boulevard, down York Street to the municipality where they handed over a memorandum of grievances to the Director of Community Services, Dawie Adonis. Adonis received the memorandum on behalf of Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz.

The memorandum contains a list of 17 grievances and issues regarding Covid-19 compensation payouts, restructuring within the municipality, discrepancies and irregularities with task job evaluations and more.

Covid-19 compensation

According to Africa, employees were only given two days leave after the hard lockdown in 2020. "Organised labour has submitted proposals for the employer for consideration to pay a Covid-19 compensation to workers who had to work and sacrifice their lives," said Africa.

He says in June 2021 the municipality proposed two days leave. "This offer is not only a disappointment, it's an insult. Instead of compensating these workers for sacrificing and putting their lives at risk, the employer opted to give them a slap in the face for ensuring services of George Municipality go uninterrupted since the pandemic struck the country," said Africa.

Racism

Another issue that is raised in the memorandum, is that of alleged racism. According to what is said in the memorandum, the municipality has racist tendencies and has launched a "witch-hunt to attack non-white employees".

Talking about the issues they face during his speech, Samwu provincial secretary (Western Cape) John Mcanjana accused Gratz of only employing people moving in her own circles.

Recruitment

According to Africa the municipality's management tends to deviate from their recruitment and selection policy by "silently squeezing in sons and daughters of families and friends."

He also accused management of leaking question papers to be asked at interviews, amounting to unfair labour practice.

Disciplinary hearings

Africa said that there were too many inconsistencies regarding disciplinary processes within the municipality. He says that members are being unfairly suspended without proof.

"The process of disciplining workers on allegations is one-sided and only focuses on nailing Samwu members for reasons of an unknown agenda," he said.

Protesters carried a coffin made from cardboard throughout the march. The letters RIP were spray-painted onto one side of the coffin and on the other side the words 'Dr Gratz' were visible. Photo: Lizette da Silva

Restructuring

According to the memorandum, members are unhappy about the way the municipality is dealing with workplace restructuring. "The entire process is not fair and transparent enough. It is aimed at face value by associating certain key positions with favourite employees from middle to top management," said Africa.

Also listed were issues with Smart Ryk Consultants - appointed for a forensic investigation - who were, according to Samwu, appointed to target non-white employees - outstanding task appeals, occupational health and safety, temporary staff and EPWP employees, local labour forum meetings, third-party deductions for transportation of workers, Council's resolution on fencing, deviation from the acting policy, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, GBV and the establishment of an accident committee.

PHOTO GALLERY: Strike action by SAMWU

Samwu gave the municipality 21 days to respond and meet their demands. Should the municipality fail in doing this, the union is determined to go on another protest march and render the municipality ungovernable.

Director of Community Services Dawie Adonis receives and signs the memorandum in the presence of Samwu members. Photo: Kristy Kolberg

Muni to respond

Acting Municipal Manager Lauren Waring confirmed the receipt of Samwu's memorandum. "The municipality is currently gathering information from various relevant departments. Once received, we will respond to Samwu in writing withing the 21-day period turnaround time," she said.

Samwu provincial secretary of the Western Cape John Mcanjana speaks to the protesters at the George municipality.