The fire which broke out on Table Mountain on Sunday, April 18 was met with a quality response from Mother City heroes – our firefighters. Their hard work and dedication acted as a swift reminder of the integral role they play in keeping residents and landscape alike, safe from infamous fires.
Regardless of their exceptional service and bravery, however, more than 500 firefighters face dismissal, reports IOL. This follows disciplinary procedures bouncing off a dispute over working hours.
ENCA reported in 2019 that the normal basic Employment Act says firefighters must work 40 hours, but they’re working 40 to 70 hours and those hours were not being reimbursed by the City. This clocks up to over 240 hours a month of work.
This dispute comes exactly two years after the City of Cape Town firefighters had grievances over working hours.
Despite the ongoing battle, which includes cases of firefighters fighting to be paid appropriately for working overtime, firefighting teams rallied together and jumped at the chance to help. Not a moment of hesitation to get stuck in.
“We’re all in it together and while one might be a CEO in his day job, another a mechanic and another a student, when we put on our uniforms we’re all equal, working together to save our city,” a firefighter told Cape {Town} Etc.
An anonymous firefighter with more than 30 years experience told IOL that he received a phone call delivering the shocking news.
Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy acknowledged the work of the firefighters after embarking on a helicopter ride to assess the damage on Table Mountain. It took the work of 1 000 firefighters and four Huey helicopter crews to tame the inferno. A gruelling process that lasted for over 60 hours.
City of Cape firefighters still in dispute over long working hours
Picture: Unsplash