Contingency plans allegedly are being put together after employees from various Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) embarked on a ‘no work no pay’ strike today 5 August.
A source from the EMS, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, told the NEWS that private EMS services have made more vehicles available and are on standby in case of medical emergencies.
He says that only employees who are members of the South African National Workers Union are striking and not the entire EMS unit.
“This comes after our Sunday and public holiday wages have been cut from two and a half days to one and a half day.”
He says that the WRDM had the right to reduce it after it was noticed that the two and a half day salary was a mistake on their side for almost ten years.
“The employees have been paid the wrong amount for all these years. In terms of the law the WRDM had the right to decrease the amount after it was noticed.
“It is indeed sad as they (the employees) have been living on that amount for such a long time.”
The Sanwu members are also demanding a 56 per cent increase in their salaries.
The source told the NEWS that the salaries have not been cut in half and that employees are still entitled to their overtime.
“Other employees are not on a strike as they feel that they have a responsibility towards their community and will not embark on any strike whatsoever.”
The NEWS forwarded questions to the WRDM regarding the strike action.
