A PROVINCIAL strike by paramedics working for KZN Emergency Medical Services (EMS) planned for Christmas Day, has been cancelled.
One paramedic, who spoke to the Zululand Observer on condition of anonymity, confirmed that staff were planning to go on strike as of tomorrow morning, however, their unions had cancelled the planned actions.
The strike would have left crews scrambling to attend to the massive number of calls traditionally experienced by EMRS on Christmas, forcing private ambulance services to fill the void.
A letter addressed to all EMS employees from the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) warned staff to not partake in any illegal strike action, and that the union will attempt to resolve labour issues the legal route.
‘The KZN Department of Health is not aware of planned strike action by any recognised labour union, said DOH spokesperson, Sam Mkhwanazi on Thursday.
‘The Department would like to reiterate that services provided by EMS personnel is described as Essential Services.
‘Therefore, EMS personnel are not allowed to participate in strike action or demonstration protests during working hours.’
According to Mkhwanazi, EMS members who participated in any such actions would be subjected to disciplinary action.
‘The ‘no work, no pay’ principle will apply,’ he said.
‘The department will not hesitate to take any other action that is allowed by law, including dismissal.’
Despite the DOH not carrying any knowledge of the strike action, a private ambulance operator in Zululand tod the ZO that they had been warned by EMS paramedics ‘not to help’.
‘I was told we would become targets if we went out on calls to help EMS,’ they said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
‘They also told me that the burning of the state ambulance at uMgungundlovu on Tuesday was a clear message to management that they meant business.’
It is believed the strike would have been in aid of less working hours, and salary and danger pay allowance disputes.
This comes after another strike earlier in this year.
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