No end to firefighters’ alleged strike drama
The struggle to work according to terms and conditions of employment by Johannesburg firefighters endures
KIBLER PARK – The struggle to work according to terms and conditions of employment by Johannesburg firefighters endures into the third week, as parties continue to be at odds.
Daniel Motsoeneng, who represents firefighters and is based at the Turffontein Fire Station, told the CHRONICLE that an affidavit had been submitted as a response to the City of Johannesburg on a court set deadline of July 29.
“On July 29, the court ruled that firefighters should submit an affidavit to the employer,” he said.
”We met the deadline to submit the document and will await the City of Johannesburg’s response on August 5 and then, after 48 hours, after the employer serves a response affidavit, we all sit down at the Braamfontein Labour Court.
”The court will decide, but we believe that this was not a strike; we were just working according to our contracts of employment.”
This follows an application for an urgent interdict by the city, at the Labour Court, on July 22, to halt the alleged illegal strike by the workers.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi told the media on July 21: “We have applied for an urgent court interdict to stop the unprotected strike, because we believe we are running an essential service, so we don’t have to disrupt service delivery to the people of Johannesburg.”
However, hours before the court hearing was held, Motsoeneng told the CHRONICLE that they were not striking, nor were they on a go-slow.
Their woes will, however, not see an end soon, as Motsoeneng revealed that six firefighters from the South were suspended by the employer.
According to the firefighters’ spokesperson, they did not embark on a an illegal strike, as all firefighters are still attending work, only this time they are working the hours stipulated on their employment contracts.
“Six firefighters were served with suspension letters. Our employer does not know how to deal with the situation; they did not even wait to hear what the court decided,” Motsoeneng explained.
Our employer has already taken the decision that it was a strike without input of the court. We’re not allowed on Fire Departments premises or to have any contact with other employees because they say we incited the strike,” further explained Motsoeneng.
”The suspended firefighters are from Kibler Park station, Turffontein station, Jabulani (Soweto) station, Orange Farm station and an inspector from the Department of Fire Safety.
