KUILSRIVIER
X1VNRBP9-AL040919
Woensdag, 4 September 2019 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
@TygerBurger
TygerBurger
11 tydskrifte + 35 koerante
Netwerk24. Alles op een plek.
Teken in by www.netwerk24.com.
FIREMEN DEMAND OVERTIME PAYMENT: UNION WITHDRAWS
Finishing touches
Crisis with firemen may lurk ESMÉ ERASMUS @erasmusesme
A
crisis in firefighting in the City of Cape Town is lurking if firefighters affiliated to the trade union South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), execute their threat to work only office hours from 1 October. In a letter to the City, dated 28 August, MacGregor Erasmus Attorneys informed the City, on behalf of Samwu, that all its members will only work strict 40-hour shifts according to their employment contracts, effectively from 1 October – thus normal office hours from 07:30 to 16:00. Firefighters work 80 hours overtime per month, as they need to be on standby in 24-hour shifts at the fire brigade after hours, over weekends and on public holidays. The City has remunerated these workers for the additional 80 hours by paying them an allowance of 22.8% of their salary in the past about 10 years. With about 60% of firefighters in the City members of Samwu and 40% of another trade union, it will affect more than half of the fire department’s operational workforce. According to the letter, the firefighters have continued to work 240 hours overtime per month in good faith and in the interest of service delivery, despite the absence of a collective agreement. “Samwu has on numerous occasions requested that their members get paid for the additional 80 hours they work per month in
accordance with the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) or the City’s own overtime policies. “Samwu’s members have decided that they will no longer work these excessive hours without being paid for it lawfully ...,” according to the letter. The City has been given a month to make the necessary arrangements, stated the letter. This letter came after Samwu withdrew from negotiations for a fire services collective agreement in November last year. According to Archie Hearne, a Samwu organisor in Cape Town, the 22.8% allowance for overtime has been in place since 2012. However, at other municipalities firefighters are paid a much higher allowance – up to 80% for instance at the Polokwane municipality, he said. “We have engaged with the City to propose new conditions and better working conditions, but nothing has materialised. “All stood still since 2012, until last year when a deadlock was reached and we have withdrawn from negotiations,” he said. According to Hearne, they have asked for an increase in the overtime rate from 22.8% to 72%. They were offered a 30% overtime rate last year, but rejected it, he said to TygerBurger. From information TygerBurger obtained anonymously, it seemed that a firefighter (40) with 20 years service earns R22 052 per month in Cape Town. V To page 4.
“Firefighters work 80 hours overtime per month”
Marié Liebenberg (front) and Ephraim Mamabolo adding some magic to a once drab wall on the premises of Badisa Kuils River. They were part of a team of volunteers from Ackermans who gave the premises a makeover on Friday 30 August. See more on page 6.
STEEL MERCHANTS, WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC Stockists of Steel Tubing, Flat Bars & Angle Irons. Wholesale to the public
338 HALT ROAD, ELSIES RIVER 021 933 1634 - 021 928 8189 - 082 490 5225 WE DELIVER ALL CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
TOGETHER WE STEEL THE WORLD Stockist of all Roof sheets and accessories available.
Vibe Extensions
Combo lock:
R45
R69
Barbed Flat Wrap
Sabre Metal Primer and Gloss
2.4m
Galv Roof sheets (0.22) @ R25p/m
Square & Round Tubing available
Stockists of Variety of Bits
INVERTER 180 AMP IN PLASTIC CASE FREE
* WIRE BRUSH W/H * GREEN LINED WELDING GLOVES + * FLIP FRONT WELDING HELMET * 2.5 MM 5KG JAVWELD WELDING RODS * CHIPPING HAMMER
R2150
WIN R3500 A TOOLBOX WORTH
SPEND R2000 AND MORE INSTORE TO QUALIFY, KINDLY WRITE CONTACT DETAILS AT THE BACK OF SLIP
+ +
Secure your home before the holidays
All Accessories also available in store!
Lock Lock Box Lock holder
Barbed Tape
T&C’s apply
WE DELIVER
•
ALL CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
TRADING HOURS: WEEKDAYS FROM 08H00 - 17H00 • SAT 08H0 - 14H00 • ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT. PRICES VALID WHILE STOCKS LAST! E & OE X1VP7T11-AL040919