Two major South African postal unions have taken serious exception to the latest submission by the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.
The Democratic Postal and Communication Union (DEPACU) and the South African Post Workers Union (SAPWU) issued a joint warning following a recent statement attributed to the BRPs, arguing that the current trajectory of the business rescue process threatens both workers’ welfare and the state utility’s long-term survival.
DEPACU General Secretary Kodisang Bokaba told YOU FM Newshour that the South African Post Office’s BRPs referred to workers and their unions as a “grouping”.
“Firstly, we are recognised trade unions representing workers at the Post Office. To refer to us as groupings is very disrespectful and disingenuous,” said Bokaba.
Bokaba also rejected the BRPs’ assertion that they had been engaging with all stakeholders, including the unions, to address the demands raised during the unions’ march to the department in March.
“That is also not true. The BRPs have not met with us. We have been trying to secure a meeting with them without success.
“We received a written response from the Minister (Solly Malatsi) following our march to his offices in March, and while we were in the process of seeking clarity from the department, they went to the committee and claimed they were engaging with us. There has never been a meeting between us and them,” explained Bokaba.
In addition, the DEPACU General Secretary highlighted that the last meeting convened by the employer was a national consultative meeting, which had no authority to discuss wages or the demands submitted to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT).
“It was at the end of that meeting that the employer’s representative committed to reverting to organised labour in writing within three days if they had any offer or new proposal.
“Nothing has changed to this day,” remarked Bokaba.
The unions have threatened to embark on strike action if the employer is not prepared to engage with them meaningfully and address the demands outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) handed to the Minister.
“Among other things, we are unequivocally demanding a minimum salary adjustment of R5,000.
“It is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take to the streets if that demand is not met.
“We are saying that the employer must present us with a dignified offer because, in the absence of that, we have already secured a certificate of non-resolution.
“However, we are also committed to achieving a negotiated outcome. Our members are prepared for whatever it takes to secure an increase after eight years — going into a ninth year — without a salary increase,” warned Bokaba.
