GroundUp reports that up to 6,000 SA Post Office (Sapo) workers – more than half the current workforce – stand to lose their jobs by the end of March. But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is fighting to reduce the proposed number of retrenchments.
Sapo entered into business rescue on 10 July after being placed under provisional liquidation following litigation by creditors. The number of retrenchments at the beleaguered institution are laid out in the Business Rescue Plan published by the Business Rescue Practitioners on 23 November. The resultant notice of possible termination of posts in line with Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, was published on 31 December and distributed to employees. The largest staff contingent facing retrenchment are the retail staff, of which up to 3,000 stand to lose their jobs, along with about 275 drivers, about 200 employees who have been at home due to ill-health for an extended period, along with three of 19 group executive and general manager positions. The remaining retrenchments would come from district manager posts and postmen and women. The first sitting of the CCMA for the appointment of a facilitator for the retrenchment process is on 26 January. The CWU, which is the largest Sapo union representing 34% of all employees, intends to stem the job losses. “Clearly the business rescue plan is not worker friendly in any way, it is creditors seeing what they can get out of the process,” commented the CWU’s Nathen Bowers. He added that while workers were “always going to be the casualties” of the business rescue plan, 6,000 job losses was “slaughter”, particularly with the current unemployment rate. According to the union, there are regulations governing postal services, and it is are examining whether the plan aligns with legislation.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Steve Kretzmann at GroundUp
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