City Power says proposed SAMWU strike ‘criminal’

City Power on Wednesday slated an intended strike by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) which will result in a total blackout of Johannesburg as “criminal”‚ charging it constitutes a “threat of sabotage” against the power provider and the city’s residents.

“City Power has been declared a national key point and any individual threatening to switch off the network illegally will be liable for prosecution‚” the electricity supplier warned.

It added that the rendering of electricity supply services by City Power was also classified as an essential service and that the disruption of the electricity supply by a strike was unlawful at the outset.

“It is to be noted that SAMWU has indicated that the intended strike is a protected strike‚ yet the CCMA has not issued a certificate allowing the strike action. City Power is aware that some individuals in SAMWU have misled SAMWU members employed by City Power by claiming that a strike certificate has been issued.

“City Power is also concerned at the unjustified attack on the credibility of Reverend Frank Chikane‚ the Chairperson of the Board of City Power. The Chairperson has offered SAMWU several opportunities since 31 March 2015‚ to present their evidence to support their allegations against the management of City Power and has despite the attacks on him‚ presented SAMWU with yet another opportunity to do so. Any allegation that City Power is unwilling to address any specific allegations of improper conduct is patently false‚” City Power said in a statement.

It added: “City Power perceives this threat by the trade union as criminal and not in the interest of the entire union membership.

“In light of previous sabotage on the network‚ City Power has taken steps to protect the network and will pursue criminal complaints in due course.”

City Power concluded by stating it remained committed to sound labour relations and reliable distribution of electricity to the citizens of Johannesburg.

RDM News Wire.