In a Provincial Bargaining Council meeting with unions on 5 March 2009, the department confirmed its commitment to the process of establishing parity in salaries for Emergency Care Personnel in line with other Provinces.
The implementation is underway.
In a surprise move, the Public Servants Association (PSA) notified the department that it had obtained permission from the eThekwini Council to march through Durban in support of their demands for parity in salaries, despite agreement being reached.
At an urgent Provincial Bargaining Chamber meeting today all Trade Unions supported the implementation process. The PSA admitted that it had made an error. The department contends that the leadership of the PSA had deliberately misled their membership. The PSA is not prepared to call off the march, despite no apparent dispute. The department is of the opinion that the march is absolutely unnecessary and will cause unnecessary disruption in the city.
Any Emergency Service personnel that should be on duty and participates in the march will be disciplined and the PSA have been informed of this. The department does not foresee any disruption to the EMRS services.
Enquiries:
Mr LA Mbangwa
General Manager: Corporate Communication
KwaZulu-Natal: Department of Health
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
15 May 2009
Source: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznhealth.gov.za)
