Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Metrobus workers started an indefinite strike on Monday morning demanding the suspension of the bus service's acting managing director, the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) said.
"We are picketing just in front of the [Metrobus] headquarters," said Samwu chairperson at Metrobus, Phanuel Tshikovha.
The union demanded that acting managing director Lawrence Maqekoane be suspended pending an investigation into allegations levelled against him.
Metrobus general manager of human resources Ranti Mahlabana said in a statement that only around 44% of the service's buses were running on Monday morning.
He said the dispute related to the recruitment of staff through Adecco recruitment services, which the union saw as a violation of a 2008 agreement on permanent staff.
Mahlabana said Samwu wanted Maqekoane to be investigated and charged with violating the disciplinary code and the organisational rights agreement.
Metrobus received notice of the union's intention to strike on June 24, after a conciliation process at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Mahlabana said that last week there were further attempts to engage with the union.
"During these sessions, marked progress was made in a number of areas and, to this end, this was an agreement on all aspects of the dispute raised by Samwu."
It was also communicated to the union that there were existing procedures in place to address their concerns and that the committee of the Metrobus board were willing to appoint an independent professional to investigate the matter.
"It was unfortunate that Samwu accepted all the resolutions... on condition that [Maqekoane] be suspended with immediate effect."
Mahlabana said this demand was seen as unfair and not in line with the Labour Relations Act.
"The board is of the view that the allegations raised by Samwu are without basis and therefore cannot be acted upon."
Metrobus management and the board would continue engaging with Samwu in an attempt to bring "this unnecessary industrial action to an end".
Tshikovha said the union would strike indefinitely until a forensic investigation into the concerns was established. The union also wanted Metrobus to engage with employees about the matter.
Tshikovha said on Saturday that the union wanted Maqekoane to be removed from the offices because they were concerned that otherwise he could possibly manipulate the investigation.
