Pikitup to explore other waste collection methods as workers continue striking
Workers vowed to continue demonstrating until they were offered permanent employment.
Pikitup casual workers strike at the Waterval Depot on 16 May 2024. Picture: X/@CleanerJoburg
JOHANNESBURG - Parts of Johannesburg will likely not have their waste collected on Friday, owing to striking Pikitup workers.
Waste removal trucks at the Randburg depot remained parked on Thursday as casual workers continued striking over contractual disputes.
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They told Eyewitness News that they had been overlooked for permanent employment opportunities, despite being contracted with the entity for nearly a decade.
On Wednesday, workers trashed the streets of Braamfontein, refusing to empty bins and preventing dozens of waste removal trucks from servicing their designated routes.
This was only the beginning of their protest, which the workers vowed would continue until they were offered permanent employment.
"The disruption will continue as normal if they are not resolving it."
The workers said more depots would be joining their demonstrations.
ONGOING TALKS
Pikitup said it was in talks with workers demanding to be permanently employed by the waste collector.
Spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said that while talks are ongoing, Pikitup was exploring other ways of collecting waste.
"Pikitup sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by the ongoing service disruptions, and reassures residents that it is working diligently to resolve the issue."