Pikitup strike finally over

Johannesburg - The Pikitup strike is over, the CCMA, Pikitup and the City of Joburg confirmed on Sunday.
 
“#Pikitup is over; workers return to work immediately.  Thank you, dear resident, for your patience during the strike” the municipality said in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.
 
Meanwhile, the commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration said in a statement that it had successfully facilitated a settlement agreement.
 
CCMA Director Cameron Sello Morajane said that the agreement came after parties reconvened from Friday onwards.
 
According to Pikitup, all parties were now committed to take measures to deal with backlogs of waste. “Extraordinary measures are being taken to deal with residual putrified waste, increase in the rat population and insects” said a tweet.
 
According to the company’s twitter feed, external service providers would be hired to help with the backlog.
 
SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members went on an unprotected strike about a month ago, demanding a minimum salary of between R9 000 and R10 000.
 
Around 4 000 workers, affiliated to Samwu, are facing disciplinary hearings for ignoring dismissal notices and two court interdicts issued during the strike.
 
Garbage went largely uncollected in Johannesburg during this time.