Pretoria - The South African Post Office has put in place contingency measures to ensure that operations continue unhindered following a 48-hour notice by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to go on strike today.
“We anticipate that the industrial action will have minimal interruptions on our services, given that this action involves only CWU members. Additionally, their notice specifies only work-to-rule privileges for two weeks.
“The employees taking part in the industrial action will still be working according to minimum work requirements, save for any additional work schedules. We have devised measures to ensure minimal services obstructions during the industrial action,” said SA Post Office Acting Group CEO Mlu Mathonsi.
Mathonsi said they remain committed to discussions with all labour unions in their attempt to achieve a stable working environment for the company.
“It is in the interest of all the affected parties, particularly the sustainability of the SA Post Office, that frank discussions continue on all areas of concern. A strike at this point, in all conscience, is not a desirable outcome for the SA Post Office,” he said.
In their bridge-building engagements, the SA Post Office Administrator and Group CEO had a positive consultative engagement session with the presidents of the South African Postal and Allied Workers’ Union (Sapawu) and Democratic Postal and Communications Union (Depacu) on 23 February.
Unfortunately, the CWU declined the invitation and did not attend, said Mathonsi.
While they have scheduled another consultation with the top leadership of the unions on 12 March, they have invited the CWU to a bilateral meeting tomorrow.
Mathonsi said creating a workplace environment that is conducive for the smooth running of operations cannot be overemphasised.
“For instance, the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] is currently facilitating a process of relationship-building between the company and its recognised unions.
“The introduction of the CCMA process, a recent development, is considered a unique step by the SA Post Office in its effort to create a sustainable future centred on commendable customer experience. This is envisaged to culminate in the restoration of the consultation structures within the company,” said Mathonsi.
The CCMA-facilitated process is not the only interaction taking place between the unions and the SA Post Office, but there are also monthly meetings chaired by the acting GCEO, where performance of the SA Post Office is tabled with unions.
“All these activities and meetings with labour are taking place under the guidance and oversight of the administrator.
“We therefore take a dim view of the allegations which suggest that he does not consult with the unions, as these are factually incorrect and misleading to our stakeholders,” Mathonsi said.
He urged all parties to engage the company leadership to ensure the sustainability of the organisation.
“We also urge employees taking part in the industrial action to refrain from engaging in any actions that demonstrate wilful interruption of the SA Post Office’s services, since such actions will not be accepted and prosecutions will follow,” Mathonsi said.
The SA Post Office lodged an urgent application at the Labour Court to set aside the certificate of non-resolution and stop any industrial action.
The Post Office warned that any employee that wilfully interferers with the conveyance of mail or hampers any other employees from getting to their workstations either through illegal gatherings or blocking work premises entrances is liable of a criminal charge in terms of the Postal Services Act.
The SA Post Office has also encouraged people who become aware of any illegal activities that are conducted as a result of the industrial action to report these via its Crime Buster Hotline: 0800 020 070. – SAnews.gov.za
