I have been made aware of recent media reports regarding the suspension of around 230 City of Johannesburg firefighters after they participated in an illegal strike. I wish to assure residents that the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) will continue and the essential service of firefighting across the City will not be affected.
The City is conscious about its employees’ rights and will always be progressive in advancing these rights, however, we cannot be held ransom by illegal strike action.
It is important to note that in terms of section 65(1)(d)(i) of the Labour Relations Act:
“No person may take part in a strike or a lock-out or in any conduct in contemplation or furtherance of a strike or lock-out if - that person is engaged in – an essential service”.
Therefore, on 11 July 2019, when EMS was made aware of the strike action by a group of about 230 firefighters, high level management immediately intervened by forming a strike management task team and, together with station commanders, addressed the concerns of the firefighters. Thereafter most of the members returned to their normal duties.
The striking firefighters refused to attend to emergency calls made to the Jabulani, Johannesburg Central, Ivory Park and Rosebank fire stations, citing that some of the allocated duties assigned to them as Basic Life Support officers were in fact duties to be performed by the Intermediate Life Support officers. The firefighters also requested around the clock escorts from the JMPD when responding to emergencies.
Given that some firefighters still refused to return to work, another meeting between management and the firefighters was held on 15 July 2019.
After the City’s efforts to try and resolve the dispute amicably and follow due processes, unfortunately 127 firefighters still refused to return to work.
The City thereafter notified the participating firefighters about the illegality of their strike, which was not protected in law. Despite this, the participating firefighters continued with their illegal strike and refused to attend to their duties. This not only affects the City’s emergency services but had the potential of putting residents’ lives in danger.
On 26 July 2019, the City obtained a court order from the Labour Court which interdicted, amongst others, the striking firefighters from their illegal action. These firefighters are now in contempt of court as their actions are in direct contravention of the court order.
Furthermore, in accordance with the South African Local Government Bargaining Council Collective Agreement, procedures are outlined for employees to lodge grievances. However, in this particular instance the firefighters who refused to return to work even after EMS management’s interventions failed to adhere to the set process.
EMS has since made arrangements to ensure that emergency services in the City are not affected and its 109 ambulances will continue to run across Johannesburg.
The City’s EMS will continue to engage with the firefighters to ensure that we jointly overcome challenges and continue to serve our residents with pride. We will also continue to advance employees’ rights, and this is why the City concluded a historical Memorandum of Understanding with two of the recognised labour unions in August 2019.
For media queries, kindly contact:
Luyanda Longwe
Stakeholder Manager: MMC for Public Safety
luyandalo@joburg.org.za
061 496 0536
Or
Chantelle Fourie-Shawe
Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor
chantellef@joburg.org.za
081 546 1014
