PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou was once again hit by refuse removal issues when staff of the municipality's waste department downed tools following dissent over overtime payment.
This comes after similar action in January which left refuse piling up in Plettenberg Bay's streets and eventually led to some residents collecting the refuse themselves. It is believed that the current situation was sparked by the alleged non-payment of overtime for February this year.
According to Ward 2 Councillor Dave Swart, the municipality was trying to reduce overtime, but refuse collection nevertheless took place on Saturdays.
"This results in overtime for these workers whose contracts apparently stipulate a five-day, 40-hour work week instead of the necessary six-day work week, which will allow for a shift system to be implemented to cover the Saturday collections," Swart explained.
Refuse began to collect during the refuse strike.
In the meantime it had been arranged with the municipality's recycling contractor to assist with refuse collection. The transfer station was also open for residents to drop off their refuse at no cost.
"I have written to the municipal manager and copied the mayor, advising of the dissatisfaction of this state of affairs. While the workers appear to have a legitimate grievance they have not followed the formal grievance procedures for the second time this year and instead have summarily embarked on strike action that affects service delivery and has health connotations with refuse not collected," Swart said.
"I have advised that this is not acceptable and disciplinary steps need to be taken against these workers."
By the time of going to print, KPH had not received comment from the municipality.
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