Firefighters’ strike unprotected
JOBURG – The action taken by firefighters, who, it is alleged are using stay-away tactics for bargaining leverage in their negotiations with the City, have been described as being in breach of contract by the City.
According to other media reports, firefighters’ demands for overtime pay is now being referred to arbitration. City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the actions taken by firefighters to start their shift at 8am and leave their stations at 4pm constitutes a breach of contract and a change of conditions of service.
Mulaudzi said, “We therefore regard this conduct as an unprotected strike because the issues concerned are being dealt with at the Arbitration and Bargaining Council.”
He said firefighters were using stay-away tactics to leverage bargaining in negotiations with the City. “We would like to reassure the citizens of the City of Johannesburg that it is business as usual for us. All of our 28 fire stations are fully operational throughout the city and we will make sure that we respond to any emergency which might occur throughout the city,” Mulaudzi said.
He added that it was in both management and employees’ best interests that firefighters carry out the mandate of saving lives and preserving the properties of the citizens of the City of Johannesburg.
Also read Joburg firefighters go slow to protest working hours
