As the month of April ends, many South Africans shudder in their recollection of the mayhem caused by a three-week strike by Pikitup refuse collectors. Apart from an unsightly mess and intolerable smell, how did this strike affect us?

The three-week strike by Pikitup garbage collectors had its roots in a deep dissatisfaction on the part of municipal workers, who are demanding an investigation into allegations of irregular tender applications, wage inequalities, nepotism and corruption by their employer, Pikitup. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) went on strike on the 7th of April to make their voices heard. Even though it seems as though calmer waters have been reached after 17 hours of negotiation near the end of April, this strike had and will continue to have deep-rooted repercussions that stretch much further than the obvious blow to the economy and aesthetic of Johannesburg – for all South Africans.

Rubbish, rubbish, everywhere

For three weeks, uncollected rubbish piled up on the streets of Johannesburg. Apart from being a serious health hazard in itself as rotten food and other perishable items soured the streets; residents of Johannesburg also live in fear of a rat plague, driven out of control by the odious environment created by uncollected rubbish.

Municipal elections

Although the timing of the Pikitup strike – just a month or so before the municipal elections – implies a serious discontent with the ANC government and the way it is being run, Samwu is closely tied to the party through Cosatu and denies allegations made by the party that the strikes were a deliberate attempt to sabotage their chance of winning the elections. President Jacob Zuma, who spoke at a press conference in April, made undeniable inferences concerning the timing of the strike. "We [the ANC and Cosatu] are campaigning together. The timing [of Samwu's strike] has to be looked at. That's all we are saying," he was reported as saying by the Mail&Guardian. In the same article, Samwu general secretary Mthandeki Nhlapo reflected on previous allegations made by the ANC against desperate strike action taken by disgruntled municipal workers. “Last year we were accused of trying to sabotage the World Cup, when we raised genuine worker issues. Now we are being accused of sabotaging the ANC's campaign for the local government elections,” he said. Workers’ interests, he stressed, should never have to take ‘a back seat’ – even when important national events are taking place.

Corruption, nepotism, maltreatment, inequality

After strike negotiations took place near the end of April, not all the issues raised by Pikitup municipal workers have been sufficiently dealt with. Although wage negotiations are an important component of this strike, it is not the main concern for Pikitup workers. Other concerns – such as irregular tenders worth millions made by Pikitup to various other companies and nepotism in its leadership – seem to have been swept under the rug as reports regarding their progress become few and far between.

Strike one, strike two…

Nhlapo, speaking about the threat of a second bout of protest action planned for May 10, gave the following reasons for the continued dissatisfaction that would have further strike action as a result:

• The attacks of the ANC on Samwu workers and leadership
• The privatisation of government services and assets
• The limitation of workers’ statutory right to strike or protest
• Unsuccessful wage negotiations

If another strike takes place, it may possibly be construed as a direct attack on the ANC’s chances of winning the municipal elections taking place later in May. Cosatu has vowed to “invoke solidarity of its entire membership in the region,” also looking at the possibility of a province-wide strike affecting all of Gauteng.

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