EMPD officials are upset about reductions in overtime allocations, and planned the driven route to the Germiston Civic Centre to meet with mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza for a response to a memorandum of demands.
In the memorandum, dated February 26, they also listed grievances over how promotions are carried out, a wide discrepancy between salaries paid to VIP officials in their department compared with ground level staff, and perceived inequality across Gauteng, with better salaries and working conditions for those at the Johannesburg metro police department.
“Historically, officers have benefited from overtime, which has been regarded as part of their salary, enabling them to meet financial obligations such as loan approvals and other necessities,” the memo states.
The reduction to 16 hours, it said, “placed officers below the standard living scale and eroded morale”.
Calling for equal treatment across metros in the province, the memo said: “JMPD officers work 16 days per month (four days on, four days off) with higher salaries than EMPD officers who work 24 days per month.
“We dedicate our lives to serving and protecting the City of Ekurhuleni, and it is time the leadership of the municipality reciprocates the commitment with fair and just policies.”