EC Dept of Health reaches an agreement with EMS unions for workers to return work
The Department has reached an agreement with the unions representing emergency medical services workers in the province to end the illegal strike and return back to work starting with the night shift tonight. The illegal strike commenced Friday last week and impacted on operations leading to stop of operations at ambulance bases to the strike. The department activated its contingency plans to ensure that ambulance users were able to access emergency services and be transported to health facilities.
The workers had embarked on illegal strike citing non-payment of overtime hours. The department has made the following commitment on the concerns raised by workers:
- The claims for 2003- 2011 overtime claims is reffered to an arbitration process to make a ruling.
- Overtime claims for the period 2012-2014 will be paid between December this year and January next year.
- The outstanding payment of claims in 2018 between (July and October) this year will be paid during this month.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ms Helen Sauls-August welcomes the end of the strike and warns against essential services workers endangering lives of the patients by embarking on illegal strike against. “We are pleased that the management and unions have reached an agreement on this. We want all our emergency to put our patients first and not take actions that puts their lives at risk,” said MEC Helen Sauls-August. She also apologized to the public about the inconvenience casused by this illegal strike. The department will sign a new agreement that confirms these resolutions in Bhisho on 8 November. The contingency plan will remain in use until all workers have reported back to work. Department will also monitor resumption of duties in all its ambulance bases in all districts. Night shift employees are expected back at work tonight.
Enquiries:
Lwandile Sicwetsha (MEC Spokesperson)
Cell: 071 671 1770
