Up to 1 000 staff in game parks around the country could go on strike in the winter school holiday, inconveniencing local and foreign tourists.
On Monday, the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union (Hospersa) said it intended to proceed with protected industrial action in all the South African National Parks (SanParks) reserves where the union has members and called on Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, to intervene.
”SanParks refuses to enter into negotiations with Hospersa regarding salaries and conditions of service for employees who are based in some of their parks,” said Hospersa president Gavin Moultrie.
”Close to 1 000 staff members could go on a strike action.”
He said any strike action would take place during the school holiday in June and July.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration issued an advisory award in relation to the dispute in March, which means Hospersa may now take it further.
Moultrie said ”accommodation for visitors was of such a high standard, yet the staff were still staying in asbestos prefabs”.
He said the prefabs were a health risk. ”People are suffering from asbestosis.”
Employees earning R2 500 a month were obliged to join medical aids ”that consume more than 75% of their disposable income”.
Moultrie said some employees had to perform their park patrol duties on bicycles instead of in vehicles, leaving them open to attack by wild animals.
He asked what a ranger on a bicycle could do if a lion or elephant charged him. ”What does he do? Ride faster?” – Sapa