THE South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has accused the City of Cape Town of putting more effort into attacking firefighters instead of addressing their concerns.
The union’s regional secretary Mikel Khumalo alleged that on 29 April the City of Cape Town held a meeting with firefighters at Cape Town stadium but barred their representatives from attending the meeting.
This took place amidst rumours that the municipality was going to fire over 500 firefighters who were part of an illegal protest in 2019.
“What’s of a concern to SAMWU is the reason why COCT is so hell-bent on allowing raging fires to burn out of control and reluctant to attack big infernos but have a huge appetite to attack the fire brigade personnel,” said Khumalo.
He said 439 firefighters were addressed without labour representatives, “a complete violation of workers rights and consultation process” according to Khumalo.
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MMC of Safety and Security Jean-Pierre Smith said they initiated talks with SAMWU outside of the disciplinary process in respect of 439 firefighters so that any avoid possible dismissals.
He said the City sent a proposal to them on 8 April 2021 but the union did not accept the offer and seem to have not kept their members updated on this matter.
He said this is why they ended up having a meeting with firefighters on 29 April to give them an update.
SAMWU demands a standby allowance of 79% of the basic salary, which the City says would amount to nearly R250 million more per annum.
“The City previously offered 35%, up from the current 22.8%, backed by an independent arbitration recommendation, which parties had voluntarily entered into. This offer was rejected by SAMWU,” said Smith.
Khumalo said the “employer doesn’t demonstrate an appetite for negotiations on this issue resulting leaving our members expressing distress” but on the other hand, the municipality blames the union.
“SAMWU is the only party delaying a new collective agreement for firefighters by submitting unreasonable demands, a fact resoundingly affirmed by the Labour Court ruling of March 2020, which dismissed SAMWU’s case outright, declaring their actions not only illegal but vexatious,” said Smith.
