Kimberley – Employees from the Department of Health claim that they were unfairly dismissed after they were charged for being absent from work from October 3 until November 17 without permission during the strikes last year, where they said no notice was given.
The employees were advised that they were not allowed to appeal although they will be permitted to make written representations to the executive authority.
Both Nehawu and Hospersa have lodged disputes with the bargaining council and Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration over the unfair dismissal of staff members.
Nehawu branch secretary, Moleme Moleme, said on Monday that about 30 ancillary health workers were dismissed last week with immediate effect.
“Although the letter of dismissal was dated December 13, staff only received their letters last week,” said Moleme.
“Some only learnt about their dismissals while enquiring about their pay slips after they discovered that their salaries had been frozen on the system. Deductions were still made although the verification audit on the absenteeism of staff has not been completed and the affected workers signed the attendance registers. Mainly cleaners, laundry services and gardening workers were issued with letters of dismissal. The letters are coming in dribs and drabs.”
Moleme believed that the Department of Health wanted to replace permanent staff and outsource these services to private companies.
“If tenders are advertised, we need to ask ourselves who will benefit? Gardeners are being made to perform cleaning duties at night and we do not know if they are being paid extra for the provision of these services.”
Moleme also stated that blanket salary deductions were made across the board, including non-union workers.
“We will make a decision regarding whether protest action will resume, because while the union has extended an olive branch the department is not upholding its side of the bargain.”
Hospersa general manager, Wayne Olivier, added that labour practices were not followed when its members were dismissed.
“Our members were at work during the strike. One of our members submitted a 48-hour night duty claim during that time. We are also challenging the leave without pay deductions as it first has to be ratified by the bargaining council,” said Olivier.
Cleaning staff who were employed at the James Exum building, stated that due to cost containment measures they were not provided with uniforms or cleaning materials.
“We were told to clean with water, while our clothes are stained with bleach as we had to clean the toilets with our bare hands. Staff have to provide their own toilet paper and yet there is money to outsource cleaning services.”
One of the cleaners, Ruth Vass, stated that the dismissed workers would lose their medical aid benefits as well as insurance policies.
“We have mouths to feed, while our children are not attending school because there is no money for stationery and uniforms.”
Nombulelo Mngqushu said that she was from Port Elizabeth and she would be unable to pay the rent for her flat.
“My child is in hospital with asthma and I am unable to pay the medical bills,” she added.
Spokesperson for the Office of the MEC for Health, Lebogang Majaha, said that the Office of the MEC for Health and the leadership of Nehawu had met yesterday to discuss the dismissal of employees.
“Employees are deemed to have been dismissed by being away from their official duties for a period exceeding one calendar month. In this case, they are discharged by operation of law and are entitled to appeal to the Executing Authority (MEC),” said Majaha.
He added that it was agreed that the MEC would be given ample time to deal with all representations submitted to his office for “fairness and independence of the process”.
Majaha stated that a follow-up meeting would be held in the next seven days to discuss a way forward.