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Cape Town - Hundreds of Cape Town municipal workers who downed tools for a day over allegations of racism will return to work on Wednesday.
The suspension of the strike follows an agreement made between the City of Cape Town and the provincial South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) leadership on Monday.
Union representatives had tried to deal with alleged racial discrimination against 22 workers at the city’s waste-water technical operation centre in Bellville. They had said the city had failed to resolve a grievance case launched in 2011.
“The city has agreed to appoint an independent commissioner to investigate the allegations of racism and report back to the city manager,” said mayoral committee member for corporate services Demetri Qually.
“Depending on the findings, further action may follow. With Samwu, we will improve the effectiveness and productivity of the local labour forums.”
Other than 60 workers who protested in front of the Solid Waste depot in Firgrove near Somerset West, the strike had little impact on services, he said.
“We had a plan in place to ease the impact the strike may have had to ensure people are still provided with their services.
“We were in talks with Samwu early (on Monday). They made several proposals that we are considering. We are just happy and satisfied with the outcomes of these speedy negotiations.”
Samwu regional secretary Mike Khumalo said they were pleased that a representative from the Bargaining Council would be investigating the allegations.
“While the workers were at the depots on Monday, work was at a standstill until the managers met with employees and discussed a way forward.
“There are also other grievances that still need to be addressed.”
Samwu members in other provinces are on strike for other grievances, including transport allowances.
barbara.maregele@inl.co.za
Cape Times