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The SA Post Office dismisses striking employees

No comment was received from the post office on when the postal delivery service in Springs and Kwatsaduza will be back on track.

Many residents have been waiting for their overseas pensions and important documents.

In a letter ‘Disgust about post office workers (Advertiser, August 21), Malusi Fuphe, spokesman for the Witwatersrand region, said postage deliveries will increase as soon as more delivery staff are available.

According to Christopher Hlekane, general CEO of SA Post Office, they are currently in the process of implementing dismissal processes “following a two-week unprotected industrial action by some casual and part-time employees, within the East Rand and Tshwane.”

This action is a culmination of a fair and due labour relations-based process to resolve the matter amicably; following a strike which has severely impacted our customers within, in particular, the Tshwane catchment area.

It has been characterised by intimidation and violence: the blocking of workplaces, assaults on employees and damage to property.

This has resulted in the closure of some post offices and mail delivery depots in an effort to ensure the safety of employees and customers.

“In our view, the strike is unnecessary, as it is centered on the speed with which the conversion of casual positions into permanent positions is being implemented; a matter which is being addressed concomitantly and constructively with their leadership,” says Hlekane.

We have already commenced the process of converting 900 casual positions into permanent positions, which is part of the agreement reached with the casual workers’ leadership.

“All efforts to resolve the industrial action, which included negotiations, ultimatums and a Labour Court interdict came to naught.

“Therefore, the SA Post Office could not conceive of any other alternative but to dismiss the striking employees,” says Hlekane.

Business continuity plans have been implemented to keep operations going and to minimise the impact of the strike on the customers.

Answers on questions on when postage delivery will be back on track have not been answered yet.

Answers will be published as soon as the Addie receives the response.

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