The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) are back at work after a settlement agreement was reached regarding overtime payments.
The public EMS services went on a go-slow on Monday 5 August complaining that their salaries were decreased.
“We wish to report that after serious engagements between the WRDM management and the unions, we have agreed that our employees in the emergency services will receive 56 per cent of their overtime payments on work performed on Sundays and public holidays,” says Refentse Mangope, WRDM spokesperson.
“We need to put it on record that the Municipality has at no point interfered with their employees’ salaries and that no salaries were cut.”
He states that they needed to rectify errors in the rating of overtime payments which rocketed almost to 97 per cent of the salary bill.
An informant at the EMS, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, told the NEWS that the WRDM has paid employees the wrong amount for almost ten years.
“The WRDM has paid employees a two and a half day salary on Sundays and public holidays instead of the normal one and a half day.
“It is indeed sad as they (the employees) have been living on that amount for such a long time.”
He says in terms of the law the WRDM had the right to decrease the amount after it was noticed. Mangope says that they have agreed to implement the correction over a period not exceeding eight months.
“Basic Conditions of Employment will kick in soon after the eight months’ period has lapsed. We agreed that a four-shift system will be implemented as part of the Basic Conditions of Employment.”
He says that the WRDM is happy that all parties have agreed and signed the Settlement Agreement to that effect.
“We appreciate the commitment made by all the affected parties by continuing to provide services to our communities. ”
Contingency plans were being put together to ensure that there were minimal disruptions in services.
“We wish to apologise to our communities if such affected you. All our Emergency Medical personnel are back and will continue to provide quality services to all,” concludes Mangope.
