The South African Police Service management has asked all striking 10111 workers to return to work no later than Friday, 29 September, or face disciplinary steps.
Centre operators throughout the country have embarked on unprotected strike action, demanding salary increases.
The strike, which was called by the South African Police Union (SAPU) in respect of the 10111 centre operators that are employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994, was initially a protected strike.
However, earlier this month, an agreement was entered into at the Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC), to which both POPCRU -- as the majority union in the SSSBC -- and the South African Police Service are signatories, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said on Thursday.
Naidoo said although SAPU was not a signatory to the agreement, the said agreement is enforceable and it renders the strike action unprotected.
“SAPU has been made aware of the agreement and that they can no longer claim protection of a protected strike. Unfortunately, the strike action is still continuing and all the striking employees have been called upon to immediately cease such action and return to duty no later than 29 September 2017 or face disciplinary action.”
Meanwhile, SAPS management has reassured South Africa that it remains committed to delivering its Constitutional mandate to ensure that people are and feel safe, and that its employees are compliant with regulations that govern the smooth running of the SAPS. - SAnews.gov.za
