Media statement
23 September 2023
The labour movement IMATU suffered a heavy blow yesterday when the Labour Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, ruled in favour of the City of Tshwane in an urgent application brought by the union.
IMATU asked the court to have two senior managers in Group Human Capital Management, including the City Manager, held in contempt of court for not paying the salaries of its members during the strike. The salaries of its members were recalled after the City became aware that they were not executing their duties.
The union also wanted the City to reverse and pay its members’ salaries for August 2023. Furthermore, IMATU argued that the dismissal of its members was unfair in cases where they held dual membership with the trade union SAMWU, whose members were dismissed for participating in the unlawful and unprotected strike, which began in late July 2023.
The court dismissed all three of IMATU’s requests, but it stopped short of granting a cost order against the union. IMATU had always insisted that its members were not involved in the strike.
At the end of July 2023, the Labour Court granted the City of Tshwane an urgent interim interdict against its striking employees and declared the strike unlawful and unprotected. Last week, the court made the interim order permanent.
Issued by Communication, Marketing and Events.