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Cape Town - Postal Services and Communication Minister Siyabonga Cwele’s intervention in the SA Post Office (Sapo) dispute has apparently caused even more complications. The minister earlier this week proposed that the long-running dispute, which included an 11-week strike by members of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), be resolved by granting a 6.5% pay rise in December.
READ: End to Post Office strike may be imminent
However, as South African Postal Workers’ Union (Sapwu) general secretary David Mangena pointed out on Friday, an agreement already exists that was signed by his union and Sapo management in October last year to pay wage increases from April 1 this year.
READ: Post Office strike deal is off for now
However, since then management has informed all three unions organising in the Sapo that there is no money for any increases to pay as well as housing or transport allowances.
At a meeting convened by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Thursday, Sapo management declined to discuss the agreement or levels of pay increase, saying that another offer had superseded it. This was a reference to the proposal by Cwele that the CWU leadership were taking to their members.
“But such agreements have to be struck through the bargaining forum. You can’t have two forums,” said Mangena. The issue is now being taken to Sapwu members to decide on what action to take.
At the same time, according to trade unionists in all three unions represented at Sapo, management has denied media reports that board members and senior managers were awarded 26% increases. These reports have further exacerbated tensions within Sapo.
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- Fin24
