#EMPDstrike: Officers issued with pre-dismissal letters over ‘illegal’ strike
The source said the situation has the potential of stimulating pushback from members, who converged on the EMPD's head office in Kempton Park to discuss their next step after being served the suspension notices.
Following a recent surprise protest by members of the EMPD, the City Of Ekurhuleni management has taken bold action against the police officers who participated in the strike.
The city strongly condemned their actions as unlawful, stating this compromised public safety and led to the disruption of the daily commute of thousands of residents.
While EMPD management was not immediately available to share details about this matter at the time of compiling this report, insiders who spoke to the Boksburg Advertiser at the Boksburg EMPD precinct confirmed that scores of the members identified to have been involved in the strike action were summoned to this precinct.
They were slapped with pre-dismissal letters this morning (May 5). A source at the precinct said the suspended members expressed strong feelings of discontent with the city’s stance on the issue.
The souce added that tensions are high and that the situation has the potential of stimulating pushback from members, who converged on the EMPD’s head office in Kempton Park to discuss their next step after being served the suspension notices.
The duration of the suspension, specific conditions and charges against the members remain unclear at this stage.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Background
On March 19, hundreds of EMPD members from across the city took part in the protest, bringing key routes, including the N12, N3 and R24, to a standstill.
The employees listed a few demands that they want management to address.
They are related to lack of salary increases and the city’s decision to reduce overtime hours, which members said would badly impact their financial stability.
In response to the protest action, the city said the protest was illegal and vowed that consequence management for the ‘illegal’ action would be meted out to ensure that it does not happen again.
The metro pointed out that the city was in talks with labour unions to try and resolve the salary and overtime disputes.
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