The Johannesburg Zoo closed on Wednesday after a "substantial" number of staff members downed tools, a spokeswoman said.Letta Madlala said the workers embarked on an "unrecognised" strike on Wednesday morning and handed over a memorandum of grievances to zoo management.
She could not comment on the reason for the strike, saying management and the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) were meeting to resolve the matter.
"I can't comment on the contents of the memorandum, I have not seen it yet but as soon as they come out of the meeting we will be in the position to explain further," she said.
All Samwu members employed at the zoo were participating in the strike but Madlala could not put a number to them. It was a "substantial" number of staff members, she said.
Animals were being cared for by curators and animal attendants in the meantime.
"Despite the strike, our animals are still provided with the best care," Madlala said.
Dumisani Langa, Samwu spokesman in Gauteng, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Source : Sapa /nm/gj
Date : 01 Apr 2009 14:56
