The New Age reports that unions say an “agreement in principle” with the SA Post Office (Sapo) on wage negotiations could be reached today (Monday).  

Aubrey Tshabalala of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) indicated:  “If they are open to correct a few things we disagree with we may do that (reach an agreement).  We are very close, we made great progress from where we were.”  Sapo apparently offered unions a 100% payment on backdated salaries, a 6% salary increase for 2016/17, voluntary severance and early retirement packages due to be implemented from 1 August and the conversion of all casual employees to permanent part-timers on a minimum of 21 hours up to 42 hours a week.  Tshabalala said the sticking points were the conversion of some 900 employees whose contracts had been “frozen” and the 6% salary increase.  The Democratic Postal and Communication Union’s (Depacu’s) Levy Zwane said the majority of his members were happy with Sapo’s offer.  However, the Influential Information and Communication Union of SA (IICUOSA), a non-recognised union representing some 2,000 Sapo employees, expressed its unhappiness over Sapo’s engagements with unions.  The union recently staged a “forcible entry” into Sapo’s headquarters, allegedly damaging property and assaulting workers.

• Read this report by Bonolo Selebano in full on page 4 of The New Age of 27 June 2016

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