South African Post Office looks to lay off striking workers

The South African Post Office has been troubled by more strike action in the past two weeks over the conversion of casual workers into permanent staff. The company has begun implementing dismissal processes in order to break the industrial action affecting services in the East Rand and Tshwane areas around Johannesburg and Pretoria.

It said the strike action was “unprotected” by labour rules, and that its action was part of a “fair and due labour-relations-based process” to resolve the matter, which has impacted on customers in the affected area.

Strike action has involved intimidation and violence, the South African Post Office said, including the blocking of workplaces, assaults on employees and damage to property.

It has resulted in the closure of some post offices and mail delivery depots to safeguard customers and employees.

Christopher Hlekane (pictured), the Group chief executive at the South African Post Office, said: “In our view, the strike is unnecessary, as it is centred on the speed with which the conversion of casual workers into permanent positions is being implemented; a matter which is being addressed concomitantly and constructively with their leadership.”

The South African Post Office has warned customers of some delay in mail within the affected areas, but said it had business continuity plans in place to keep operations going and minimise the impact of the strike.

Hlekane said the company was in the process of converting 900 casual workers into permanent staff, as part of an agreement with the leadership of the casual work force.

“All efforts to resolve the industrial action – which included negotiations, ultimatums and a Labour Court Interdict – came to naught. Therefore, the SA Post Office could not conceive of any other alternative but to dismiss the striking employees,” said the Group chief executive.

Last year strike action helped push the South African Post Office into the red.