Just two days after voting took place in the local government elections, Mahikeng residents in the North West woke up to dry taps again after Sedibeng Water employees affiliated to trade union SAMWU, continued with their stay away.
The union is accusing the water board of failing to implement a salary increment of 5.5% that all parties signed off on and has vowed not to come to work until their demands are met.
SAMWU’s secretary at Sedibeng Water, Moiloa Mofokeng, said workers will not report for duty until they get what’s due to them.
“The bargaining agreement was that there will be an increase of 5.5% from the 1st of July 2021 to 30th of June 2022. But now the employer is saying he will only afford to implement the increase on 1 December 2021. This means that employees are going to forfeit the first six months’ increases.
“This issue of municipalities owing Sedibeng does not start today. It started a long time ago, but the company was managing, so why is it not managing now?” Mofokeng asked.
Sedibeng Water Marketing and Communications officer, Trinity Bogosi, said the water board is engaging the Minister of Water and Sanitation on the stand-off.
“In an attempt to resolve the impasse between the organisation and the employees, the chairperson of the Board and the acting CEO are currently in talks with the Minister responsible for Water and Sanitation. We hope for a positive outcome and restoration of the service soon,” said Bogosi.
Sedibeng Water earlier reported that it is financially challenged due to the municipalities’ debt standing at a staggering R6.9-billion.
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