STATEMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD SECRETARY-GENERAL AND MEMBER OF THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT
4 May 2021
City of Cape Town should resolve firefighters 24-hour shift dispute with good faith and without delay.
On International Firefighters Day, we pay tribute to the courage and compassion of a group of extraordinary men and women.
Whether rescuing a cat up a tree, carrying a child to safety from a swollen river, saving a burning home or battling walls of flames in the forests of Mpumalanga, they risk their lives to do superhuman things for others.
We pay special tribute to all who played a role in bringing the devastating fire that swept across Table Mountain and threatened to raze UCT last month under control.
After the flames are doused we tend to focus on the quantum of damage and overlook how much has been saved.
We call on the City of Cape Town to negotiate in good faith and stop victimising the 525 firefighters who have been operating under threat of dismissal for nearly two years. Emergency workers are equally entitled to fair and just working conditions which includes remuneration for all hours worked.
These firefighters oppose the 24-hour shift system, and briefly downed tools in 2019 in contravention of agreements for essential workers.
They claim that the 24-hour shift system is old-fashioned and draconian. The City is taking disciplinary action against them. Their union is accusing the City of divide and rule tactics offering leniency to some but not others.
The last thing Cape Town needs are disillusioned, unmotivated and divided firefighters.
Ends…