Disciplinary proceedings against 21 Gauteng emergency medical services (EMS) employees got under way in Midrand on September 30, following a dispute over working hours and unpaid overtime.

The personnel, from the Selby, Hillbrow, and Mofolo bases, faced action after refusing to work beyond their contracted 160 hours a month without extra pay. Gathering outside a shopping centre opposite the Gauteng EMS head office, affected workers, who asked not to be named, said their 12-hour shift roster of four days on and four days off resulted in an additional 20 to 25 hours of work each month.

They alleged that some employees had salaries reduced by up to R4 000 after refusing to work the additional hours. One employee said workers were only informed of the disciplinary hearings at short notice.

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Another employee said workers believed they had fulfilled their contractual obligations after completing 160 hours, adding that when the department was told that overtime needed to be paid after 160 hours, or personnel would knock off, the dispute escalated.

Another employee, from the Imbalenhle EMS base, said she attended to support colleagues and raise concerns about the treatment of EMS personnel. “We are here to support our colleagues and ourselves so that the department can do the right thing and stop threatening us,” she said. She also raised concerns about employee welfare, counselling after traumatic incidents, and the condition of some ambulances.

DA Gauteng Health spokesperson Madeleine Hicklin joined the workers, stating that the dispute needed urgent attention. She said Circular 5 of 2024 provides for a 40-hour working week, equivalent to 160 hours a month, and that additional hours should be agreed upon between the employer and employee. “If the department requires EMS personnel to work extra hours, it must properly record and compensate those hours,” said Hicklin.

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The Gauteng department of health, however, disputed claims that the employees had been suspended. In a statement released on September 23, department spokesperson Steve Mabona said 21 officials had been issued with charge sheets for alleged dereliction of duty after failing to complete scheduled working hours in line with their contracts and shift rosters.

He said EMS was an essential service, and employees were required to adhere to approved rosters, while overtime and working-hour arrangements were managed in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Mabona said the department had measures in place to ensure EMS operations continued without interruption and was reviewing its working-hours policy.

Some employees who attended the September 30 proceedings said the hearings were postponed to October 6 or 7 to allow them to secure legal representation.

Midrand Reporter has sent further questions to the department following the meeting on September 30. Its response will be published once received.

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