The City of Cape Town has made plans to minimise the disruption of strike action by municipal staff from Monday, 21 January onwards. It is not clear at this stage what form the strike action will take.

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has notified the City that it will embark on indefinite strike action from Monday 21 January 2008 onwards. This stems from a dispute that they have with the City in regard to the organisational realignment of staff.

The City respects the right of employees to strike, but its first duty is to ensure service delivery to the residents of Cape Town.

No employee engaged in a designated essential service may participate in the protest action. These services are Municipal Health Services, Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement Services, Fire andEmergency Services, Water, Electricity and Sanitation (Utility Services) and parts of refuse service (Solid Waste) such as disposal sites and the collection of refuse left uncollected for 14 days or longer.

Access to the Civic Centre will be restricted during the strike. Only those with specific Council business or having a prior arrangement with a specific official will be able to gain access. The City apologises for the inconvenience.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 3719

Media Queries:
Charles Cooper
Tel: 021 400 3719
Cell: 084 628 8618