Strikes at SANParks

[Flutterby]

South African National Parks (SANParks) has to date not received formal notice that employees affiliated to the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) will embark on a possible labour strike in the coming days, following a negotiation deadlock with regards to salary increases.

13/07/2017

This is according to SANParks Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fundisile Mketeni, who said the country’s conservation and tourism leader has not received a formal notice of the imminent strike from HOSPERSA in terms of the Labour Relations Act, indicating that the members of the union intend to embark on strike action.

Instead, on 11th July 2017, SANParks met with all recognized unions and HOSPERSA requested that strike and picketing rules be developed. Management agreed and undertook to do so and meet with the said union in the coming week.

Mketeni said the news came as a surprise because the meeting to agree on the strike and picketing rules has not taken place as yet. “Should the union continue with its threats, those employees who decide to embark on strike action would not be allowed to picket on SANParks’ premises without an agreement or permission and in an effort to resolve the impasse. We further urge the union to accept management’s offer of 6% plus 1% pay progress, which totals to a 7%, adjustment since negotiations were concluded.”

In its statement, HOSPERSA insinuated that a profit amounting to R1,29 billion was realized in the last financial year, therefore a nine percent (9%) salary increase in their view is warranted. “We would like to put it on record that the union should take cognisance of the operational overheads which includes, staff remunerations; conservation operations and tourism plant maintenance, just a few of many of SANParks’ financial commitments,” said Mketeni.

He stated that, accordingly their offer provides a solution which is above the current CPI. “You will note that the CPI for April and May was at 5,3% and 5,4% respectively. Hence, the six percent (6%) plus one percent (1%) pay progression is reasonable.”

He said despite HOSPERSA’s pronouncement that all operations will be disrupted at various parks, SANParks would like to reassure members of the public that in the event of strike contingency plans will be activated to ensure that service is not interrupted and their visitors are safe.

“We hope that sanity will prevail and our employees will not heed to the HOSPERSA call,” concludes Mketeni.

http://lowvelder.co.za/397016/sanparks- ... nal-parks/

[RogerFraser]

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south- ... n-missing/

SANParks workers threaten strike as lions remain missing

The industrial action will hamper the search of the four missing lions.
The Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) is gearing up for a national strike at SA National Parks (SANParks).

The industrial action could hamper the search for lions that went missing from the Kruger National Park earlier this week‚ Hospersa said.

After a wage talks deadlock‚ Hospersa is awaiting a strike certificate.

Hospersa said it had rejected a 6% wage increase and was demanding 9%.

"The planned industrial action could not have come at a worse time for SANParks' tourism haven‚ the Kruger National Park. The park is still searching for the four lions reported missing two days ago‚" the union said in a statement.

"The industrial action will hamper the search as close to 3‚000 workers will down tools in coming days‚ with most of them working in the Kruger National Park.

These workers include field rangers‚ field guides and petrol attendants who form part of the critical functions for visitors' experience. The receptionists as well as hut attendants and security guards will also down tools."

[Richprins]

Very true about the big profits made by SANParks, despite them pleading poverty...

The possibly larger union in Kruger is the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Unions (Saccawu), which have largely left COSATU, the national alliance of Unions that is floundering and fighting the new union amalgam under Vavi, which is against the government. etc. etc.

This is all a bit strange, and these days no-one knows the ulterior motives behind anything.

But I agree, low-level salaries can certainly go up a bit more, no doubt.

This also has implications for potential commercialisation of all tourism services in Kruger. Then strikes and disputes will increase more, IMO, as working contracts and benefits will be very different.

[RogerFraser]

Lesley Nyawo shared a link to the group: SANParks - Kruger National Park.
3 hrs ·
UPDATE ON INTENDED STRIKE BY SANPARKS HOSPERSA STAFF
South African National Parks (SANParks) management has confirmed receiving a notice to strike by workers affiliated to the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA). The notice was served due to an impasse in wage negotiations which have deadlocked. Management is offering 6% plus a 1% pay progression which brings the total offer to 7%, while Hospersa is demanding 9% for its members. All other matters were agreed to with the exception of this matter.
“We can confirm receipt of the intention to strike by workers affiliated to HOSPERSA however we expect the striking workers to act within the law and respect the rights of non-striking workers. We are still to finalise the picketing rules and don’t expect anyone to picket on SANParks properties until such an agreement has been finalised” said SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni.
Mketeni also assures guests who are currently visiting the National Parks and those intending to visit in the coming days, that all outsourced services such as restaurants and retail stores will continue operations as normal while SANParks managed operations including hospitality and gates are likely to experience some service delays. “We will activate contingency plans in all the parks to ensure that guests enjoy their holidays with minimal interruption. We will be monitoring the situation very closely and expect the striking workers to act within the law and respect the rights of park guests and employees who have elected not to join the strike. We urge booked guests not to cancel and those planning visits to continue booking through our various reservation channels.” concluded Mketeni
***Ends***
For previous media statements please go to www.sanparks.org
Issued by: South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications Tel: 012 426 5170
Media enquiries: Reynold “Rey T” Thakhuli General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations. Tel: 012 426 5170, Mobile: 073 373 4999 or email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org
Janine Raftopoulos, SANParks Head of Communications. Contact: Tel: 012 426 5170, cell: 071 444 3121 or email: janine.raftopoulos@sanparks.org
Or
Ike Phaahla, SANParks Media Specialist. Tel: 012 426 5315, Mobile 083 673 6974 or email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

Soooo no housekeeping and no drives/walks. What about petrol?

[Richprins]

well, strikers are not renowned for respecting the rights of non-strikers or the public, especially if it is politically-motivated...

On the other hand, there are changes afoot in the country, so it may very well be a damp squib!

[Richprins]

South African National Parks (SANParks) management has confirmed that all employees who were scheduled to report for duty have done so despite a notice to strike which was served by the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA).

“We can confirm that all our parks have full complement of staff despite the notice that we received from HOSPERSA intending to embark on industrial action from today 17 July 2017.We are constantly monitoring the situation and all our contingency plans are in place. We would like to encourage our visitors and those wishing to travel to any of our parks to continue with their plans as we aim to ensure that they enjoy their stay. We have received a request for parties to meet from the CCMA tomorrow and are hopeful that the impasse will be resolved. We are also waiting for the finalisation of picketing rules” concluded SANParks Head of Communications Janine Raftopoulos

HOSPERSA is demanding a 9% increase for their members while SANParks is offering 6% salary adjustment and a 1% pay progression with a total offer of 7%. Though the strike is protected, the “no work no pay” rule will apply to those who take part in the industrial action.

For Bookings and updates, guests can visit the SANParks Website; www.sanparks.org; alternatively guests can call our central reservations number: 012 428 9111.

Ends…

Issued by: South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications Tel: 012 426 5170

Media enquiries: Reynold “Rey T” Thakhuli General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations. Tel: 012 426 5170, Mobile: 073 373 4999 or email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

Janine Raftopoulos, SANParks Head of Communications. Contact: Tel: 012 426 5170, cell: 071 444 3121 or email: janine.raftopoulos@sanparks.org
Or
Ike Phaahla, SANParks Media Specialist. Tel: 012 426 5315, Mobile 083 673 6974 or email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

HOSPERSA will probably say that 85 % is adhering to the strike

[Richprins]

Just heard industrial action/strike is due to begin in Kruger at about 11h00 today, if not already....

[Lisbeth]

"Industrial"? What has that got to do with Kruger