Times Of Swaziland: 40 FIREFIGHTERS NOMINATED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES

40 FIREFIGHTERS NOMINATED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES
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BY STANLEY KHUMALO on 08/10/2020 00:32:00


MANZINI - The National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) has
forwarded 40 names of firefighters to deal with their debacle.
This was done through a letter that was addressed to the chief fire officer
subsequent to an interim order that was issued by the Industrial Court on
October 6, 2020, ordering the workers to return to work after an impasse with
their employer over a new shift system.
Leading to a new circular dated October 1, 2020, fire personnel worked 12-hour
shifts which comprises four hours of overtime. However, the circular introduced
a new shift system that ordered them to work a three-shift system. The three
shifts are eight hours each.
Following the introduction of this shift system, an issue over transportation of
the fire personnel ensued as they were to be transported not beyond a
20-kilometre radius from their workstations.
Negotiate
This resulted in a stand-off between the employer and employees and the matter
being taken to court by the former wherein Industrial Court Judge Dumisani
Mazibuko issued an interim order that instructed the firefighters and management
to negotiate a fair arrangement for logistics, including the identification of
the public transport utilised.
In the negotiations by the pair, they were also ordered to identify pick-up
points, drop-off zones, the time when the workers were to be fetched from their
duty stations while also taking care of the safety of the workers at night.
The union was further ordered to cooperate in forwarding names to management of
firefighters nominated per shift to work on the logistics implementation.
The union, in adherence to the order, forwarded 40 names which comprised of four
names from each of the 10 firestations. Also, NAPSAWU brought to the attention
of the chief fire officer that the court had ordered that an occurrence book
must be filled for both clocking in and out while also highlighting that
firefighters should be at work to attend to emergencies.
Vehicles
The letter claimed that it was common cause that the office of the chief fire
officer had instructed station officers in all fire stations to take and lock
all vehicle keys and the attendance register/occurrence book.
It purported that the office of the chief fire officer had been refusing to hand
over these items for their use while they were at work. It further alleged that
it was common cause that they had notified the office of the chief fire officer
that the lockout implemented was unlawful. To this, the union claimed that there
was no response to their correspondence.
“We again hereby request our working tools, being the vehicle keys for our use
at work and the occurrence book as referred to by his justice yesterday
(Tuesday) of which its filling must be agreed into by our nominated firefighters
and management (sic),” reads the letter in part.
Furthermore, the union assured the office of the chief fire officer that it was
committed to harmonious labour relations at all times, including the process
ordered by the Industrial Court, which implored the parties to engage in for
quick and amicable resolving of the matter.