LOUIS TRICHARDT - The Makhado Municipal Council opted for an expensive confrontation this week, when they decided to continue to place the careers of its senior staff members in jeopardy, by advertising all posts graded level 1 to 5.

In a surprise move, council decided to ignore the recommendation of its Executive Committee in this regard.

The original decision to advertise all these senior posts, caused a swift reaction from the IMATU trade union, which referred the dispute over this action to the South African Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC).

The Executive Committee of the Makhado Municipal Council, recommended that cognisance be taken of the dispute declared by IMATU and referred to the Bargaining Council with regard to Council's decision to advertise all these posts as well as subjecting those posts to fixed contracts. EXCO also recommended that they be informed that Council did not advertise these posts.

It was furthermore recommended that Council rescind its earlier resolution to advertise these post and that the Municipal Manager in consultation with the placement committee be authorised to continue with the placement of all staff members in respect of all post levels in accordance with the guidelines of the Bargaining Council that were accepted by Council. After that, vacant posts may be advertised for suitable filling.

The recommendation also stated that the creation of posts for Managers that report directly to the Directors in the existing organogram, be investigated and a full report be submitted to the Executive Committee at a next meeting.

Councillor Musitha of the ANC proposed that the recommendation, that the previous decision be rescinded, must not be accepted.

In an open clash between a section of the Council and its own Executive Committee, his proposal was carried in a division of the meeting.

A request by independent Councillor Masuka, that legal opinion about such a decision should first be sought, was ignored by Council. A proposal that the decision be kept in abeyance, was also overruled.

DA Councillors, who supported the recommendation by the Executive Committee, requested that their objection to the decision be noted.

The Municipal Manager remarked that following such a decision Council will have to appoint a representative to the official dispute.