LUKHANJI municipal workers are expected to return to work today after a week-long strike.
The violent protest strike started last Monday in Queenstown and public order police had to be called in.
They fired bullets at the striking workers, injuring 12 and arresting five. The strike – which shut down the municipality – followed news of senior municipal staff getting bonuses of up to R120 000 while ordinary workers received between R12 and R100.
This angered South African Municipal Workers’ Union members, who took to the streets to protest. On Thursday the five workers, three women and two men, were given free bail and warned to stay away from trouble.
On Friday, after two days of intense negotiations between the union, the Lukhanji mayor Nozibele Makanda and representatives of the ANC provincial executive committee, it was resolved that:
- There will be no reversal of the money paid to senior management.
- First entry workers in the municipality with fewer years of service are to get a once off bonus equivalent to their monthly salary.
- Workers with more years within the municipality will be moved to the next pay grade, according to the salary notches.
Samwu secretary Thabo Ngwane said: “This was a victory for the workers. Our battle was won within a week.”
Municipal spokesman Fundile Feketshane could not be reached for comment.
