Notley backs South African firefighters in pay fight

EDMONTON (CP) — South African firefighters who joined the battle against the Fort McMurray blaze will get every penny they were promised, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Thursday.

“I can say right now that every hour that every firefighter from South Africa — or anywhere else — has worked on these fires will be compensated in accordance with our laws in this province,” Notley said in Calgary.

The South African group that employs the 300 workers said they would be leaving after only a week on the job because of a pay dispute.

Notley said the province contracted with the agency to pay the firefighters roughly $170 a day.

Firefighter Ditiro Moseki told Edmonton radio station CHED that he’s been working 12-hour shifts and getting paid $50 a day.