5 August, 2005 Press Release COUNCIL TO PROVIDE BASIC MINIMUM SERVICES The City will apply a 'NO WORK, NO PAY' principle on employees who participate in the threatened indefinite labour action starting on Monday, 08 August 2005. This is a position taken by the City's management yesterday in an attempt to minimize possible disruptions to service delivery during this labour action. The employer also indicated notice of a secondary strike in terms of the Labour Relations Act, has not been served on the City's UACs. If the UACs employees strike, they will be opening themselves to disciplinary action. The City has emphasized its commitment to service delivery and this can be achieved with the help of its full workforce. It is therefore important for the employer and the worker representatives to find a speedy solution to the impasse. Workers who engage on any illegal action including trashing the city or intimidating other employees can expect the law to take its course. The employer will also take harsh disciplinary steps including possible dismissal. Meanwhile, Pikitup, the City's Waste Management Agency, has indicated that some of its areas and depots may be affected by the industrial action. Residents are however, advised that should there be disruptions, waste should be kept at their premises. Pikitup will ensure that all excess waste is collected on the next scheduled collection. Additional waste, which does not fit into the bins, will also be collected. Pikitup's garden sites will be open, but only for garden waste and not for general domestic refuse. The five-landfill sites will operate with skeleton staff and waste can be delivered directly to these sites. The sites are: GoudKoppies - Houthammer Road, Devland Linbro Park - Marlboro Drive, Sandton Marie Louise - Dobsonville Road, Roodepoort Robinson Deep - Turffontein Road, Turffontein Ennerdale - Old Lawley Road, Lawley In an effort to minimise the build-up of waste at the City's restaurants, Pikitup will assign additional staff to continue collecting waste from these premises. By the same token, medical waste will also be collected, as usual, from all the City's clinics and hospitals. Joburg Water, the City's Water utility, won't be affected because it is a provider of essential service. This means that the employees at Joburg Water will not be participating in the industrial action. Although Metrobus is hoping to keep its operations running but in an event of serious disruptions, passengers are requested to make alternative transport arrangements for the duration of the industrial action. The company assures passengers using tags that they are not going to loose trips due to industrial action. Passengers will be informed on how they can redeem these trips in due course. On water and electricity, most of the major pay-points will be open for business during the strike. These Supermarkets are usually open until 9pm. Residents can also use alternative outlets including banks, supermarkets and ATM's for payment of municipal services accounts. Pre-paid customers are also advised to put extra money into their accounts as a precautionary measure. Although the City will do its utmost to provide services, it apologizes for any possible disruptions and thanking residents for understanding. For City related queries residents are requested to call Joburg Connect on 375-5555. Ends Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za For more information about this wonderful City of ours, please visit our website : www.joburg.org.za