The Congress of South African Trade Unions fully support the members of our affiliated union the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) who are planning to embark on a protected strike action at Rand Water, beginning on the 13th of May 2021. 

We denounce Rand Water’s failure to withdraw a circular sent to workers telling them that they will not be receiving incentive bonuses, despite being ordered by the Labour Court to do so.

This intransigent attitude by Rand Water shows the disdain that the government institutions have of their employees. This anti-worker attitude deserve an uncompromising and an immediate response from workers and their unions.

The reality is that workers are angry and disappointed by the offensive that is directed at them, especially by government entities that have been on an offensive reversing their gains. 

These are the very same workers who have tirelessly worked hard to ensure that critical services were delivered to the deserving South Africans even under the cloud of a deadly pandemic, COVID-19.

The Federation in its May Day message made it very clear that workers need to forcefully respond to these blatant acts of provocation across all sectors of the economy. The federation is calling on workers to treasure their unity and refuse to be divided by the employers. The battles facing workers will be overcome only if workers are united.

We also call on all COSATU members and the workers in general to support this strike by SAMWU. If we do not support each other on the picket line, the employers will pick them apart one by one.

We are also calling on other mass formations organizing students, women, religious groups, to support this strike and cooperate with unions in order to build and strengthen working-class power in society.

The Federation also calls on the leadership of Rand Water to d the right thing by complying with the court order and also acceding to the reasonable demands of its employees. This strike will affect the innocent civilians who have no dog in this hunt.

Issued by COSATU

Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 6794