Firefighters’ fuming
March over workers’ rights, danger allowance and working hours
HUNDREDS of unionised firefighters marched to the Cape Town Civic Centre yesterday, protesting over working conditions, which include lack of danger pay, promotion impediments and fair compensation for working hours.
The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members said they were marching for their “workers’ rights”.
Samwu secretary, Xolile Ncayo said the city council must adhere to the demands of firefighters, who are overworked and underpaid. Ncayo said they are exploited by the city council.
“The exploitation of our firefighters should come to an immediate stop,” he said.
“We demand that the clocking machines be abolished as they lead to workers always getting clocking errors and getting short paid within all directorates.”
The protesters marched from Keizersgracht Street to the Civic Centre, where they demanded to see mayor Patricia de Lille or the city manager.
March organiser, Xolani Diniso said the city council “must stop the unilateral movement and relocation of staff without proper consultation”.
He said the public might not “know we don’t receive a danger allowance”.
Ernest Sass, executive director of social services received the memorandum and advised Samwu that a consolidated response will be given within seven days.
This march comes a week, after the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate addressed the media on the dispute with unions for the Fire and Rescue Service workers.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith said at the time, “under the current collective agreement, unions representing firefighters agreed for them to work 24-hour shifts that equate to a 56-hour week.
“As this is higher than the regular 40-hour work week, unions further agreed to a 22.8% allowance.”
The city council offered to increase the standby allowance to 30%, but was rejected by the workers, who demanded an 80% increase in their allowance.