Waste workers in the eThekwini Municipality’s Outer West Region have once again downed tools despite the City’s ultimatum aimed at getting waste collection services up and running after recent strike action.

The municipality on Tuesday announced that refuse removal services had resumed with striking Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees returning to work. The good news was however short lived for residents living in the Outer West Region with the municipality announcing on Wednesday morning that EPWP workers decided to strike once again.

The City says that negotiations are ongoing to resolve the issue and action is being taken with a contingency plan in place to address the backlog in the region.

The Affected areas include Kloof, Cato Ridge, Monteseel, Hammarsdale, Gillitts, Hillcrest Centre, Crestholme and Inanda Road.

Rest of the city back on track

Meanwhile the municipality says normal waste collection has resumed in affected parts of the City. “Workers from the Cleaning and Solid Waste Unit will be collecting waste in areas whose waste collection day is today.

Once this is completed they will work to address the backlog by collecting waste that had been scheduled to be collected on Monday and then proceed to collect waste that was due to be collected on Tuesday in affected areas.

Residents are encouraged to take their waste out even if their collection day has passed as staff will be working hard to address the backlog caused by the strike.”

The initial strike action saw EPWP workers demanding full time employment while preventing some Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit employees from executing their duties.