Toad has been in financial difficulties for a while. Photo: Moeketsi Mamane
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has claimed that the SA Post Office (SAPO) is going ahead with plans to lay off 6,000 workers.
CWU General Secretary Aubrey Tshabalala said SAPO “threw a bomb on the union’s doorstep by giving notice under Section 189 and 189(A) meaning it intends to lay off 6,000 workers.” “.
Section 189 of the Labor Relations Act allows an employer considering large-scale layoffs to undergo a consultation process to determine whether such layoffs are deemed necessary to maintain its operations.
Tshabalala said this happened a week after the Post Office called a meeting with the unions to discuss 40% pay cuts and reductions in working hours.
“The company did not adhere to its own processes where these matters should and can be discussed in the bargaining chambers with all key stakeholders.”
SAPO spokesman Johan Kruger told News24 that they were in the midst of “a consultation process on this matter”.
“No final decision has been made.”
READ | Correos promises to consult about 40% of the jobs at stake in the cut plans
It is not the first time that this plan has been mentioned. In November, the CWU said that SAPO had started consultations on the Section 189 process. Kruger also said at the time that consultations with unions, employees and the government were “underway”.
SAPO, which suffered a loss of R2.3 billion in 2020/21, faces several financial challenges, including paying contributions and health care debts. It suffered a loss of R2.3 billion in 2020/21, with its revenues declining rapidly.
Treasury previously projected that the number of SAPO employees would be reduced from 16,275 in 2021/22 to a projected 10,254 in 2024/25.
with Khulekani Magubane
We live in a world where fact and fiction blur.
In uncertain times, you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analysis, investigative journalism, featured opinions, and a variety of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter, you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel at any time and if you cancel within 14 days, you will not be billed.
