The workers who initially had planned to march in the streets before the police stopped it citing late notification, have also vowed to disrupt proceedings to mark the city’s achievement of reaching 100 years. The workers say the council should pay them their salary arrears first before spending money on celebrations.
Water and Allied Workers’ Union chairman, Silas Mutendeudzwa said council was being inhumane in attempting to host celebrations when its employees are starving.
“Tomorrow (Saturday) workers will come with their families to the civic centre, venue for the celebrations but we can’t rule out that something unexpected might happen
there because they will be hungry. We have told council to stop the celebrations until we are pai but they won't listen,” said Mutendeudzwa.
He said management should have consulted the employees on the celebrations. He accused the city fathers of “announcing the commemorations at the 11th hour.”
“Workers have not been paid for the past three months and yet some people have the audacity to behave like the biblical Herod and Pharaohs who were very uncaring. They are showing an uncaring spirit to workers and we are not happy at all ,” charged Mutendeudzwa.
Kuda Munengiwa, the secretary of the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union promised there would be "a disaster" if the celebrations are held.
“Council’s conduct on our welfare has been disgusting. We are planning to show them that they are wrong,” he said.
Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi was unavailable for comment as he is out of town but Finance Director Edgar Mwedzi yesterday told council workers’ representatives that there is no money to pay them their salaries.
Post published in: News