By Nia Williams
CALGARY, Alberta, June 9 (Reuters) - A team of South African
firefighters dispatched to Canada to fight a massive wildfire in
the oil sands region is heading home after a pay dispute, South
African officials said on Thursday.
The 301 firefighters arrived in northern Alberta less than
two weeks ago to help quell the blaze near Fort McMurray, which
forced the evacuation of 90,000 people, destroyed part of the
city and shuttered more than a million barrels per day of oil
sands production.
But on Thursday, Working on Fire, a South African
government-funded organization that trains firefighters, said a
senior management team was on its way to Alberta assist with
their demobilization and return home.
At issue is how much pay the firefighters should receive for
their work in Canada.
During their deployment, Canadian authorities agreed to
cover accommodation and meals, while each fire fighter would
also receive a daily stipend of C$15 ($11.80) for discretionary
purchases, according to Working on Fire.
In addition, after their return home, each firefighter would
receive an "out of country daily allowance" to the Rand value
equivalent of C$35 per day. They were also to receive the
regular wage they earn at home.
However, local media reports about salary increases for
personnel deployed to Canada caused confusion among the
firefighters, prompting them to strike on Wednesday, Work on
Fire said in a statement.
"We wish to categorically state that the quoted amount of
$21 per hour is incorrect and was never agreed to with anyone,"
Working on Fire said, referring to the media reports. It added
in a statement that each firefighter signed the agreement on pay
before coming to Canada.
Mike Long, communication director for Alberta Agriculture
and Forestry, said the sudden departure of the South Africans
would not disrupt efforts to battle the wildfire.
"We have nearly 2,000 firefighters on the line currently and
the fire is 70 percent contained at the moment so it's at a
point where we are able to manage the need appropriately," he
said.
($1 = C$1.27175)