Samwu workers bring Joburg highways to a standstill — city seeks interdict

22 Aug 2024

Thousands of City of Johannesburg employees stormed the M1 and M2 highways between Braamfontein and the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday afternoon following a salary disagreement.

Nearly 10,000 City of Johannesburg employees affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) on Thursday, 22 August blocked off the M1 and M2 highways in Braamfontein and the Johannesburg CBD following a wage dispute.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the city said it was considering approaching the labour court for an interdict to prevent further disruptions.

“We urge motorists to exercise caution, avoid the M1 and M2 highways, and use alternative routes to avoid the closures,” Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said.

The workers blocked the M1 on Smit Street in Braamfontein and the M2 in Selby resulting in a heavy build-up of traffic. The conflict is understood to have stemmed from a wage dispute.

Traffic was being diverted at Empire Road on the M1 South, Booysens Road on the M1 North and the Rissik Street/Selby exit on the M2 West. Motorists coming from Crown using the M2 East were joining the M1 South and exiting at Booysens Road.

Threat to return

Protesting workers agreed to disperse on Thursday afternoon amid traffic congestion, but Daily Maverick understands they have vowed to return on Friday.

Fihla said the M1 North and M2 had reopened, but that the M1 South was closed due to debris left behind from the strike. However, traffic remained heavy in the area during rush hour.

“We will definitely monitor the area tomorrow. It was indicated that the members will re-convene. I am not sure if it will be on the freeway again, but we will keep a close eye,” Fihla said.

Samwu has accused the city of failing to fulfil a politically facilitated agreement (PFA) reached in 2016 following a strike by Pikitup workers, which would see employees paid according to benchmarked standards.

The union says the agreement was implemented for levels A and B workers, who are better paid, but not for the lower-paid workers on levels C and D.

“The majority of black workers were below the minimum wage threshold, while white workers were above it. Samwu has worked to correct these salary disparities,” said Samwu on 7 August.

It said the city agreed to a new benchmarking agreement and increases were supposed to be paid from 1 July 2024, but the city had asked for more time to fully implement the PFA.

City responds

“The city views these actions as unacceptable and illegal. As a result, it is left with no choice but to consider approaching the labour court for an urgent interdict to prevent further disruptions.”

The statement added: “The City of Johannesburg condemns the illegal actions taken by members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union who embarked on a march to the Sappi building, despite being granted time off for a briefing on the implementation of phase two of the PFA.”

The city urged Samwu members to refrain from participating in any further illegal activities, to respect agreements and to use legitimate processes to engage on outstanding issues. DM

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Threat to return

City responds