Police called to work 10111 centres

IF YOU call 10111, the chances are you will get help. But police personnel meant to be on the ground fighting crime have allegedly been roped in to perform call centre duties, due to an on-going strike.

On Friday, 10111 workers in Durban blocked off the entrance to the Durban Central SAPS and the Magistrate’s Court when they burned tyres because they were tired of going “unnoticed”.

As a result, an interdict was granted against them and other 10111 workers nationally, in the Labour Court of SA, to prevent them from being disruptive. The Durban members who had been on strike for three weeks said they caused a disruption for the first time on Friday, after peaceful action, because nobody has bothered to address their concerns.

They were on no work, no pay, strike action.

The members are calling for an increase from level five to level seven salaries which is around the region of R225 000 per annum. A spokesperson, Jonathan Blaine, who has worked at the call centre for the past 10 years, said they were being overlooked and there was no room for progression at their unit.

“We are tired of being stuck in the same place for years, yet people know we are one of the busiest call centres. A report was done based on the work we do and surveys have shown we are being underpaid.”

He said although police were denying the strike action was not affecting operations, members of the Flying Squad were being roped in to perform call centre duties, causing a disruption to fighting crime on the ground.

“Members pulled off their shifts are told to answer calls. Surely this is impacting on fighting crime. We have so many challenges in terms of manpower within the SAPS Workers supporting the protests burned tyres blocking off the entrance to the Durban Central SAPS and Magistrate’s Court. yet they are willing to take members out of their duties to answer phones.”

National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Sally De Beer confirmed that an interdict was granted on Friday.

“This is a national interdict and applies across the country. We have 22 call centres and the disruptions have been minimal thus far.”

She said the strike was not affecting SAPS operations.

“Some centres aren’t affected and work is continuing as usual. Service delivery continues and there is minimal disruption within our communities. We had to go to court to take action after the incidents in Durban and also the protest action in Midrand during theweek.”

She said negotiations were on-going.