Motor Centre workers go on strike

MPHO TLALE
Correspondent | Friday July 9, 2010 00:00

 

The workers stopped work during their tea break at around 10am protesting against low salaries.

On interviewing one of the workers, he said the issue of their salaries has been pending for close to two and half years and nothing has been done to address their concerns.

The source further said that in May this year they had a meeting with management who agreed that they would do something about their salaries though nothing has happened.

He also said they wrote two letters to management about their concerns but got no response, hence the decision to stop working on Wednesday morning, action taken prior to informing management that they would stop working with immediate effect until their plight was attended to.

Managing Director of Motor Centre Yusuf Dada described the strike by the workers as illegal. Dada said upon receiving the letter they responded to it with another letter informing the workers to resume work. 

A quote from the letter handed to the employees states that 'You have today, The 7th of July embarked on an illegal work stoppage without regard to the provisions of the law.'

Although the technicians received this letter they did not return to their daily work hence the decision by management to give them suspension letters, says Dada. Dada wondered why the workers had not engaged the union that represents them on this matter.  He said each of the workers on strike have been given suspension letters that will be in effect until Friday when they will attend a disciplinary hearing.

Dada refuted allegations that the strike had any impact on the business saying the remaining workers would have to work overtime to ensure that business continues.