Just hours after the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) secured a job-saving Labour Court interdict on Friday, the City of Joburg announced that 130 employees were still going to be fired.
SAMWU is disputing the rescinding of fixed-term contracts that were converted to permanent jobs.
The Labour Court had ruled that the City of Joburg had to wait for the outcome of deliberations on the matter by the South African Local Bargaining Council (SALGBC).
Throughout the debacle, the Mayor of Joburg Dr. Mpho Phalatse has insisted the conversion of fixed-term contracts to permanent jobs was irregular.
The City of Joburg has since put affected employees back on fixed-term contracts that expire next week Saturday.
On Friday the City of Joburg announced that SALGBC had reached a decision that confirmed the sacking of the affected employees.
The bargaining council’s decision means that the interdict of the Labour Court falls away.
“Therefore, the City will proceed with the regularisation of contracts that will lapse at the end of this month,” said a statement issued by Councillor Leah Knot, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Group Corporate and Shared Services.
“The ruling by the bargaining council is a victory for good governance, service delivery, and the fight against corrupt practices in the city.
“As difficult of a process this might be for the affected employees, the Johannesburg multi-party government will always remain committed to upholding the rule of law, a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy.”
