The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has warned the City of Cape Town against firing more than 500 firefighters, reports say.
More than 500 firefighters in the Western Cape could face dismissal after disciplinary procedures were instituted earlier this month, two years after a dispute over working hours, reported IOL.
According to EWN, the firefighters participated in an illegal strike in 2019, as they demonstrated against against long working hours and the City of Cape Town’s pay structure.
SAMWU said the firefighters intended to join the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in its upcoming public servants’ wage strike on May 1.
“The firemen say the 24 hours is long and abusive and that they don’t get remunerated or paid for the long hours, Sundays, public holidays and weekends. So there is a dispute between ourselves and the city,” SABC quoted the union’s Archie Hearne as saying.
The firefighters recently battled the devastating blaze on Table Mountain.
Picture: Cape Town etc gallery