South African Police Service staff strike on the
cards
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40 000 police administrative staff in eight provinces are expected to protest
over salary grades on Wednesday.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) says its members in all provinces, except Mpumalanga, will take to the streets.
They are demanding that the police force honours an agreement to change their salary grades, and separate career planning for operational and administration staff.
The Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance have raised concerns about the possible effect of the protest on the police service.
But, SAPS says it has contingency plans in place. Popcru members in the Western Cape are expected to march to the police headquarters in Green Point on Wednesday in support of their demands for the implementation of a collective bargaining agreement by the South African Police Services.
This forms part of a countrywide protest action by the union. Gauteng Popcru members will take to the streets on Thursday.
Popcru's provincial secretary, Mcebisi Mbolekwa, says they will be handing over a memorandum to the office of the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Lamoer.
Mbolekwa says they are demanding the implementation of a 2011 Public Service and Administration Department agreement which stipulates that their salaries should be upgraded.
The protest will include emergency call centre operators, clerks and administrative staff at police stations.
On Tuesday, SAPS said they were in talks with the union to try to avert industrial action by support staff including 10111 call centre operators.
SAPS spokesperson Phuthi Setati was hopeful that the protests will be called off. He did however add that "Should we fail in this regard, like you know we always have contingency plans because we are an essential service."
STRIKE UNPROTECTED
Setati later added: "Our public service personnel have the right, they are entitled to participate in a protected strike. But in this case, the strike is unprotected and as a result, the 'no work no pay' principle will be applied in terms of the Labour Relations Act. And participants in this strike have to take note that they may face disciplinary action from the employer."
Workers aligned to police union, Popcru are demanding that the SAPS implement two agreements regarding salary parity.
Setati insists they will implement contingency plans to ensure the smooth running of the public service.
Setati later added: "Our public service personnel have the right, they are entitled to participate in a protected strike. But in this case, the strike is unprotected and as a result, the 'no work no pay' principle will be applied in terms of the Labour Relations Act. And participants in this strike have to take note that they may face disciplinary action from the employer."
Workers aligned to police union, Popcru are demanding that the SAPS implement two agreements regarding salary parity.
Setati insists they will implement contingency plans to ensure the smooth running of the public service.
