Striking DTCB workers cry foul

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 12, 2010 00:00

 

DTCB employees downed tools yesterday after the management failed to meet their pay demands.

Speaking to Mmegi, DTCB union chairman Kabelo Kelepile said they were shocked in the morning to find a DTCB manager blocking access to the ablution facilities.

The facilities, according to Kelepile, are about 200-metres from the DTCB office complex and are normally used by DTCB and Debswana employees, whose workplace is located next to the DTCB building.

'Last Friday at a meeting held at the labour department office to discuss the guidelines for industrial action, management agreed that it would avail ablutions and water to our people (union members) but we were shocked when we found this manager blocking access, saying we could not use the toilets nor drink water from there as we normally do,' he said.

He said they have asked their members to bring water bottles to quench their thirst during the strike. 'We have also asked those who have cars to bring big water containers so as to cater for others. We will continue with the strike until our demands are met and nothing will derail us,' he said.

When contacted for comment DTCB spokesman Kago Mmopi said he would respond to Mmegi queries tomorrow after gathering information from relevant authorities.