Pta waste backlog to be dealt with

2010-01-10 16:25

Pretoria - The backlog of uncollected waste in the City of Tshwane will be dealt with in 24 hours, the acting city manager said on Sunday.

The backlog was caused by "sporadic industrial action" by workers in the municipality's department of agriculture and environment management, Oupa Nkoane said in a statement.

"This has led in some instances to waste not being collected in a manner that is usual in the city. This has rightly led to some anxiety on the side of the residents."

The city was implementing contingency measures to eradicate the backlog by Monday. He said 70% of it had already been dealt with.

"The last 30% will be eradicated over the next 24 hours. At the time of releasing this statement (Sunday afternoon) workers are busy and the backlog should be eradicated by Monday."

Nkoane said the strikes were caused by the fact that the city employed labour broker Capacity Outsourcing in 2006 to provide truck drivers and their assistants to the waste management division for three years. The contract expired on July 31 last year and was renewed for a year on a month-to-month basis.

"The illegal strike that is currently being experienced by the city is as a result of Capacity drivers demanding to be appointed directly by council."

The city was phasing out labour brokers in its environment management department. A total of 1 200 workers from three labour brokers had already been employed by the city.

Truck driver and assistant positions were advertised on September 9 2009. Interviews were underway with a view to appoint 210 drivers and their 90 assistants by early next week.

- SAPA