On Friday, 27 July 2019 I received a petition from members of the City’s Emergency Management Services.
The matters raised in the petition mirror complaints previously raised with us, the result of which were engagements between the City and the concerned EMS employees.
Part of the concerns raised relate to allegations of misconduct against another EMS employee. The balance of the complaints relates to daily operational matters. In support of their allegations, some documentation was submitted to my office to substantiate part of the claims and that purported evidence was still in the process of being considered.
Whilst these processes were continuing and the purported evidence being considered the employees embarked on what can only be characterised as a go slow, which on Friday culminated in the protest action which led to the petition in question being delivered.
As a caring government, we are committed to giving matters raised by city employees and residents our utmost attention. Whilst we respect the constitutionally enshrined right to protest, we do not encourage that this should happen at the expense of delivering services to the residents.
Having since turned to the Courts for relief on an Urgent basis so that critical services to the residents may be restored, the Labour Court found in the City’s favour. Following this ruling, the industrial action must cease immediately.
I want to reassure the residents of Johannesburg that operations at EMS are being normalized.
Though my office is constrained in terms of intervening in this matter until such time that I am advised that the protesting employees have complied with the Labour Court order, I want to state categorically that we remain fully committed to finding an amicable and satisfactory solution to their complaints and, as a result, I would urge them to cooperate fully.
Issued by:
Cllr Ntombi Khumalo
MMC for Shared and Corporate Services
City of Johannesburg
For more information please contact:
Mr Karabo Seane
Stakeholder Manager
Group Corporate and Shared Services
Tel: 011 407 6400; Email: karabosea@joburg.org.za
