Public safety workers down tools
According to information received, approximately R4000 was deducted from junior firemen's salary while station officers salaries were cut by approximately R10 000.
More than 100 public safety workers from Randfontein, Krugersdorp and Westonaria have downed tools and are refusing to return to work until their concerns are addressed by the West Rand District Municipality.
They staged a massive protest outside the District Municipality offices on 29 April, burning tyres and blocking entrance to the building with concrete blocks.
The protest emanates from an allegedly unannounced salary cut which was implemented by the District Municipality.
Those affected are emergency services personnel, fire fighters and call centre agents.
According to workers, they refuse to go back on duty until they have received their full salaries,” meaning that the West Rand is currently without any emergency services personnel.
According to the Regional Deputy of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) Lungile Mgidi, their grievances emanate from the fact that the pay cut was implemented without warning or any discussion by management with the workers.
“We have been in talks with management about implementing a different shift system and that’s all that was ever discussed
“At no point were we informed about salary cuts and we were shocked to discover that our salaries were drastically cut,” says Mgidi who adds that most of them will not be able to afford their basic living expenses for the month of May.
According to Mgidi, approximately R4 000 was deducted from junior firemen’s salaries while station officer’s salaries were cut by approximately R10 000.
The Herald spoke to West Rand District Municipality spokesperson Dennis Mangope who says that the basic salaries of workers were not affected.
“Their basic salaries are still the same as per their employment contracts,” says Mangope.
“The fact is that the union has signed an agreement with regard to a new shift system which affects the way that overtime hours are calculated.
“Their unhappiness stems from the fact that their overtime was calculated in terms of the new shift system, which they agreed to.”
Mangope goes on to say that representatives from the West Rand District Municipality is currently in talks with the union and that they optimistic that a positive conclusion can be reached.
