‘A strike isn’t a desirable outcome for SAPO’

The alleged strike has not affected any post office services in Springs.

Acting manager at the Springs Post Office says he heard the strike would start at 1pm, on Thursday, but so far it has been quiet.

Mlu Mathonsi, SA Post Office (SAPO) group chief executive officer, told the Addie on Monday that they have put in place contingency measures in order to ensure that operations proceed unhindered following a 48-hour notice, last Thursday, by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to embark on industrial action.

He claims they are confident there will be minimal service interruptions during industrial action.

Mathonsi says they anticipate that the industrial action will have minimal interruptions, if any, on their services given that this action involves only CWU members.

SAPO has devised measures to ensure minimal services obstructions during the industrial action as they carry on with their increased attentiveness of the impact of services interruptions on business and customers.

Mathonsi says they remain committed to discussions with all labour unions in their attempt to achieve a stable working environment for the company.

The post office has lodged an urgent application at the Labour Court to set aside the certificate of non-resolution and stop any industrial action.

This application was heard on Monday morning but the outcome was not yet known at the time of printing

To stabilise operations a number of meetings were held with the unions to try and resolve the issues at hand.

Madlonsi says the CCMA is currently facilitating a process of relationship-building between the company and its recognised unions.

SAPO considers this as a unique step in its effort to create a sustainable future centred on commendable customer experience.

“We also urge employees taking part in the industrial action to refrain from engaging in any actions that demonstrate willful interruption of the post office’s services, since such actions will not be accepted and prosecutions will follow.”

SAPO issues a warning that any employee that willfully interferes with the conveyance of mail, or hampers any other employees from getting to their workstations either through illegal gatherings or blocking work premises entrances, will face a criminal charge in terms of the Postal Services Act.

“It is in the interest of all the affected parties, and particularly the sustainability of the post office, that frank discussions continue on all areas of concern,” says Madloni.

A consultation is scheduled with the top leadership of the unions on March 12.

They also encouraged anyone who becomes aware of any illegal activities that are conducted as a result of the industrial action to report these to 0800 020 070.

No new developments about the matter were available at our going to the press.