The South African Post Office and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) signed a wage agreement on Friday ranging from a 5% increase for the highest paid workers to 9% for the lowest-paid workers.
According to the agreement, other items agreed on include a R50 increase in the monthly housing subsidy, an extension on family responsibility leave for bereavement or illness and an in-principle agreement on permanent part-time employees.
For salaries up to R5 000, the parties agreed to a 9% increase, between R5 001 and R6 000 7%, between R6 001 and R8 000 a 6% increase and above R8 001 a 5% increase.
The agreement is from July 1 2006 to July 1 2007 and constitutes an average increase of 6%.
In a speech prepared for delivery at the signing ceremony, CWU president Joe Chauke called for an audit or investigation of all outsourced activities or programmes by the South African Post Office.
”CWU is vehemently opposed to any form of cheap labour and outsourcing of services. The usage of private consultants, even on minor post office matters, leaves much to be desired to those responsible executives,” he said.
”We therefore call for an audit or investigation of all outsourced activities/programmes by the post office.
On the subject of the appointment of permanent part-time employees, the document said the parties agreed to the principle of converting the current permanent part-time employees, depending on the needs of the business and the process of redeployment being fast-tracked and completed.
”The parties understand that some employees may have to be appointed outside their current workplaces, depending on availability of positions, and that voluntary retrenchments do not qualify,” the document read.
”Both parties expressed their serious intention to conclude redeployment in all business units by the end of December 2006.” — Sapa