Johannesburg Emergency Services (Jems) management was keeping mum on Wednesday about an ongoing salary dispute with its workers.
”For the purposes of smoothing the way to an amicable solution to the [salary negotiation] impasse, we are of the view that [there] should not be engagement with the media for now,” spokesperson Percy Morokane said.
This decision was taken ”to give both parties ample chance to get on with what they are supposed to do.
”Engaging with the media might jeopardise the real [chances of resolving the matter].”
Asked if a strike was ongoing, Morokane said: ”There are certain employees not reporting for duty.”
Emergency workers had been on strike since the beginning of the month.
However, the South African Municipal Workers Union has denied this, describing their industrial action as a ”stay away”.
Earlier this month, criminal charges were filed against striking firefighters and paramedics.
”Reports of vandalism, intimidation and common assault have been reported. These are criminal acts,” said Morokane recently. At the time he said the union had violated a Labour Court interdict declaring any strike action illegal.
He also alleged that Samwu members had blocked traffic around fire stations and intimidated non-striking workers.
The union had accused Jems of reneging on a wage agreement and of having negotiated in bad faith.
Last week, both parties said talks would take place shortly to resolve the dispute.
On Wednesday Democratic Alliance Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom said 40 Cape Town firefighters had been flown in to help in Johannesburg due to the strike.
Morokane said: ”We cannot confirm nor deny that particular statement.”
Comment from the South African Municipal Workers Union was not immediately available. — Sapa