Interdict halts SAPO march

Thursday’s planned march by members of the Communications Workers Union against the SA Post Office is stopped in its tracks.

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Johannesburg - Thursday’s planned march by members of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) against the SA Post Office has been stopped in its tracks.

The state-owned entity has been granted a court interdict against the union’s planned action.

“The CWU has been interdicted and restrained from striking and marching to, and/or picketing at the SA Post Office’s work premises; including the head office, retail outlets, mail centres, depots, regional office and hubs tomorrow, 29 October 2015,” said the entity in a statement.

The workers had planned to present their demands to Sapo which included that all contract workers be converted to permanent and 10 percent salary increases.

The union said it would also take the entity to task over its failure to pay workers full salaries on time this month. The financially struggling Post Office opted to pay workers’ salaries in portions this month due to "ongoing cash-flow" problems.

The company said it hoped workers would heed the court interdict and “proceed with providing services to customers”.

“This is a crucial moment for our customers, as they normally heighten their reliance on our services during the festive period; we have to always consider our customers given that they are the lifeblood of our business and therefore our livelihoods,” the Post Office said.

If workers ignore the interdict and continue with the action, they would be taking part in an unlawful protest, which could land them in hot water with the employer.

LABOUR BUREAU