SATAWU Gauteng: African Meter Reading workers face a black Christmas

[Rea Molopyane]

 

 

SATAWU Gauteng: African Meter Reading workers face a black Christmas

13 December 2011

 

Workers employed by the African Meter Reading Company which is owned by Mr Khurishi Mphahlele of Baroka Football Club is on a protected strike since the 9th December 2011. Workers went on strike after a dispute referred to the CCMA concerning organizational rights and fulltime employment (workers had been on fixed term contracts renewable on six months) remained unresolved.

 

The company provides service to Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni City Councils by reading meters for electricity and water in a number of areas under the jurisdiction of these municipalities. Areas that are affected for both water and electricity are Sandton, Bassonia, Oakdene, La Rochele, Lanasia, New Centre, Evans Park, Glenvista, Tulisapark, South Hills, Regentspark, Lombardy East and West, Melrose, Atholl, Parkhurst, Bramley, Linden, Parktown, Parkview, Johannesburg. Areas that will be affected because of water meter reading not done are; Thembisa, Alexandria, Rossmore, Vaal Escom, The Hill, Bellevue, Fourways, Saxonwold, Norwood, Parkwood, Victory Park, Greenside, Emmarentia.

 

The company offices are currently closed. Yesterday workers informed us of the alleged possible auctioning the company and its office premises. The company owners are said to be operating from the boots of their cars and are trying to recruit formerly dismissed employees to do the meter reading.

 

SATAWU Gauteng has communicated with the office of the MEC for Local Government (Cde Humphrey Mmemezi) about the situation, this was after numerous attempts to get hold of the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg failed. SATAWU Gauteng is willing and wants to engage with the Municipality for a contingency plan as the company seems to be running away. More than one hundred and fifty (150) workers stand to lose their jobs and face a black Christmas if the employer does not return or its property is sold / auctioned.     

 

There is a pending case of fraud opened by the workers at Bramley Police station (case number not available currently) in 2009 as the employer was accused of deducting monies from the workers and not forwarding them to the Provident fund.

 

 

Issued by:

Mamokgethi Reagoikanya Molopyane

SATAWU National Spokesperson

082 395 0907

 

Enquiries:

Xolani Nyamezele

(Acting Gauteng Provincial Secretary) 

011 492-1140

079 886 9010