Cape town firefighters
Firefighters on high alert in WC amid outbreaks in winelands district
Despite the continuing strong south-easterly winds, firefighters managed to contain two fires in the Cape winelands.
The City of Cape Town is concerned by the attacks on its officials while carrying out their duties to assist residents.
The agreement was on Tuesday made an order of the Labour Court.
Approximately 12 of Cape Town's 30 fire stations were properly manned overnight.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) affiliated members want changes to the overtime pay structure and are, since yesterday, only working from 8am to 4-30pm.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has descried the City of Cape Town’s conduct towards firefighters on Tuesday as 'improper' after the firefighters were told to leave when they came to work at 8am.
The firefighters were not happy with the current overtime pay structure and on Thursday marched to the Civic Centre and Parliament.
About 400 firefighters gathered at Parliament calling on Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi to intervene in the non-payment of overtime worked.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) said that if the City of Cape Town did not meet their demands, members would only work from 8am until 4pm from 1 October.
The South African Municipal Workers Union said if the city did not meet their demands, members will only work from 8 am until 4 pm from 1 October.
Samwu said firefighters were supposed to work eight hours a day and about 40 hours a week. But the union complained, saying that in many cases members were working 72 to 80 hours a week without being paid overtime.
Samwu said if the City of Cape Town refused to come to an agreement, the firefighters would only work from 8 am until 4 pm.
Panicked, confused and seemingly helpless, Chantel Jansen headed for the nearest place of hope she could find – the Belhar fire station. She was desperate for help as her baby’s life began to slip away.
EWN spent a Friday evening with the firefighters at Belhar Fire Station. Misty weather conditions kept them busy throughout the night.
The blaze broke out on the Glenken Expressway, between Kommetjie and Simon's Town Roads.
The city and province's firefighting ranks have been bolstered with 500 additional fire fighters will be to help
Firefighters affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers’ Union and the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union want their allowances increased to 79.23% of their salaries, from the current 22.8%.
A group of firefighters picketed outside Lakeside Fire Station, on Thursday, calling for better pay.