Rand Water employees are preparing to down tools on April 21 over a dispute.
Update: The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has called off its strike over working conditions at Rand Water. The intended strike by Samwu has been called off pending a ruling by the Labour Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Samwu said it is embarking on the strike because of a unilateral change of employment introduced by the water board.
“The decision that we have taken as Samwu to go on strike is a painful one as we know that taps will definitely run dry in all areas that are serviced by Rand Water. However, this is noble, justifiable and well within our rights.”
However, Rand Water assured that it had adequate systems in place to ensure a sustained supply of water to customers.
Rand Water said it had received written notification from Samwu notifying them of its intention to embark on a strike.
“The union has forwarded that the organisation had failed to consult with it before making a decision not to pay its employees' performance incentive bonuses as its reason for the strike action. Rand Water disputes this,” Rand Water said.
“Rand Water has sound relations with its employee-affiliated unions, based on the concept of good labour management relations being fundamental to good corporate management. We remain committed to engaging with the union to reach a resolution.”
