Following the recent call by the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele, wherein he announced the intervention led by Dr Simo Lushaba, urging for a sustainable solution for labour relations challenges, the SA Post Office is now witnessing marked operational improvement with more employees resuming their duties.
“The Minister’s call for all stakeholders to claim a stake in resolving the current labour impasse faced by the SA Post Office has had a positive impact on the company’s operations, especially with regard to striking employees heeding the call to return to work.
“We are witnessing increasing numbers of employees returning to work each day and would like to thank the minister and all the affected stakeholders for their role in this encouraging development,” said Dr Lushaba, leader of the SA Post Office administration team appointed by the Minister.
He commended the employees that continue to heed the call to return to work in large numbers and added that their continual commitment to the future of the SA Post Office is the vital cog for the revival of the organisation.
According to Dr Lushaba, the major mail sorting centres in Gauteng that were hardest hit by the strike –Witspos and Tshwane Mail – are presently 100 per cent staffed and operational.
The Polokwane and Welkom mail sorting centres that have also been impacted by the strike have also resumed operations.
However, the Germiston and the Johannesburg International (OR Tambo) mail centres are not as yet back to full capacity even though mail has begun to flow from these centres.
“We have not as yet reached a settlement with all three labour unions, but the impact of the strike on our operations is significantly reduced and mail is flowing again.
“The discussions with the unions are still ongoing and we are optimistic of a meeting of minds within the immediate future as all parties are in harmony about the need to find a long-lasting solution,” explained Dr Lushaba.
He called for customer’s clemency while the SA Post Office leadership, in conjunction with all the relevant stakeholders, is working around the clock to restore operations to full capacity.
“The on-going seasonal labour unrests of the SA Post Office are really an unacceptable development as the SA Post Office serves a critical role in economic development.
“We regret the impact this has had on our customers and assure them that it is our fervent intention to remodel our operations to meet acclaimed standards of a 21st century company,” Dr Lushaba concluded.
