BONUS - RUSTENBURG - The area around the Rustenburg Local Municipality offices erupted in chaos on Monday, 12 May, when workers engaged in legal strike action, demanding higher salaries.
Union representatives of SAMWU, SANCO, Cosatu and the Moses Kotane Red Brigades addressed the workers, making statements such as "The Directors don't care about us" and "The CFO doesn't take us seriously".
The striking employees demanded Grade 7 level salaries, in accordance with the fact that RLM is a Grade 7 municipality. Currently, most workers are on the Grade 5/6 salary scale.
Executive Mayor, Cllr Sheila Mabale-Huma and other members of top management of RLM stood outside of the offices, watching the striking employees, but did not address the crowd formally. The workers handed over their memorandum to the Mayor, stating their demands, but not after chanting and singing that she must “Voetsek” - as well as other unsavoury insults being sent her way.
The workers said they wanted their grievances to be addressed at a Council Meeting on Tuesday, 13 May.
The Office of the Executive Mayor acknowledged the receipt of the memorandum and said the management team would send a written response to the union leaders within seven days.
* This week’s edition of the Rustenburg Herald will contain further details on this developing story.
