Strikes at SANParks

[Lisbeth]

Depending on who writes, the facts change continuously

[Klipspringer]

https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id ... HJVUADexqg

SANParks responds to HOSPERSA Media Release
13 September 2019

South African National Parks (SANParks) today expressed concern regarding the contents of a media release by the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) around the current salaries negotiations. HOSPERSA has gone against the spirit of the joint relationship agreement that expressly states that “In any dispute between the Parties, while the Parties are engaged in any dispute resolution procedures involving meetings to attempt to resolve the dispute, including any CCMA conciliation procedures; only if agreed at the beginning of the dispute; neither party shall approach the media or make any statement to the media before advising the other party in advance of their approach and affording the other party twelve (12) hours to respond to the contents of the proposed statement”. SANParks is considering HOSPERSA’s breach of the said agreement on and may terminate it after affording the union the opportunity to explain or provide reasons as to why it had chosen to act contrary to the requirements of the joint relationship agreement.

SANParks Management has offered unions a Without Prejudice Offer of 6 percent across the board increase, excluding 1 percent pay progression for employees in the bargaining unit (Paterson A1 to C5 Bands). The offer was rejected by the unions even though it totalled a 7 percent salary adjustment. The CCMA Commissioner then requested all parties to seek new mandates in thirty days with the aim of resolving the matter.

SANParks considered the CCMA’s request favourably and tabled a revised Without Prejudice Offer which entailed an across the board salary increase of 6 percent plus 1 percent pay progression with applicable conditions, effective from 1st April 2019 which totalled to 7 percent. An additional 1 percent computed on the March 2019 salaries will be effected from 1st October 2019. The organisation also offered improved allowances for night shift, camping out, sleep out and tool of the trade.

The above mentioned revised Without Prejudice Offer totalling 8 percent was rejected by the unions, much to the disappointment of SANParks.

The current status is that parties have to finalise picketing rules and agree to the facilitation of a strike ballot. SANParks provided its proposal on picketing rules to the unions on 3rd September 2019 and has to date not received any counter-proposals. Subsequently, the organisation has invited the unions to a meeting to discuss the said rules on 18th September 2019.

In another related matter on Sunday and Holiday Pay, SANParks was found not to have broken any rules by an external expert services provider. The outcomes of the investigation concluded that the current calculations are aligned to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997.

“We have done what we could in our capacity as a responsible and caring employer to give the best offer on the table and to clarify the Sunday and Holiday pay issue. The economic climate is not conducive to tabling these kinds of offers and we are actually much closer to each other with the unions even though they have rejected the offer. We also advise tourists not to cancel any bookings because of rumours but should contact us for further details” concluded SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni.

Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media enquiries:
Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Peter Betts]

The mind boggles that the tourism industry has to put up with Sunday and Holiday EXTRA pay ..It comes with the territory ..Change your profression then ..And the thought of Field Rangers getting Camp out Allowances ..My the Ranger staff are SOFT these days and certainly are square pegs in round holes as far as jobs are concerned ..Totally inappropriate selection policies.

[Lisbeth]

Obviously there is something that has been forgotten in the Labor Law of the tourism industry

[Richprins]

I asked around in the Park yesterday and they say there won't be a strike...

Nehawu is NOT involved this time around, and seem to have accepted the SP offer...

[Lisbeth]

[Klipspringer]

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa ... e-33082396

SANParks to protest for one day over wage dispute
GAUTENG / 16 SEPTEMBER 2019, 6:02PM / ANA REPORTER AND STAFF REPORTER

Johannesburg - The South African National Parks (SANParks) on Monday said announced that some of their parks would be closed on Friday due to the planned protest.

Spokesperson for SANParks, Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli, said the protest was only expected to take place on one day, and would be conducted specifically in the Kruger National Park, Paul Kruger Gate with staff from other parks encouraged to withdraw labour.

It has been reported that workers will protest over a wage dispute.

In a statement released last week, SANParks said that parties have to finalise picketing rules and agree to the facilitation of a strike ballot.

"To minimise any disruptions in the delivery of service to the guests due to the withdrawal of labour, SANParks would like to assure its guests that contingency plans are in place and will be activated with immediate effect in all parks," said Thakhuli.

"Guests are requested to note that the one-day protest action will be focused at the Paul Kruger Gate where management will receive a memorandum of grievance from organised labour."

Thakuli said all other entrance gates to the Kruger National Park and other parks will be operational as normal.

"It is for this reason that guests are advised not to cancel any bookings as a consequence of a one-day planned protest action announced by the two unions. Should the [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] CCMA grant organised labour permission to embark on a protracted strike action more information will be communicated," said Thakhuli.

Thakhuli said they were apologising in advance for any inconvenience caused due to the planned protest action in KNP or withdrawal of labour in other parks.

African News Agency (ANA) and IOL

[Lisbeth]

One day for now!

[Richprins]

An odd different version:


Media Release: One Day Protest Action At SANParks On Friday, 20 September 2019 – Not A Protracted Strike

17 September 2019

According to official information received from two of the three recognized organised labour unions, the planned protest action is only scheduled for one day, Friday, 20 September 2019 with operations expected to be back to normality the following day. The protest action will be conducted specifically in the Kruger National Park, Paul Kruger Gate with staff from other parks encouraged to withdraw labour.

To minimize any disruptions in the delivery of service to the guests due to the withdrawal of labour, SANParks would like to assure its guests that contingency plans are in place and will be activated with immediate effect in all parks.

Guests are requested to note that the one-day protest action will be focused at the Paul Kruger Gate where management will receive a memorandum of grievance from organized labour. All other entrance gates to the Kruger National Park and other parks will be operational as normal. It is for this reason that guests are advised not to cancel any bookings as a consequence of a one-day planned protest action announced by the two unions.

Should the CCMA grant organised labour permission to embark on a protracted strike action more information will be communicated.

SANParks would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused due to the planned protest action in KNP or withdrawal of labour in other parks.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

Media enquiries:
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

One is based on the words of Thakhuli the other one is an official media release.

Should the CCMA grant organised labour permission to embark on a protracted strike action more information will be communicated.

I beg your pardon Sanparks, I was convinced that the above would not have been mentioned