Popcru fights corner in SAPS strike threat saga
POLICE trade union Popcru has defended itself against accusations that it is failing its members due to the incompetency of its leadership.
Police officers around the country have recently threatened to take to the streets and protest.
This arises from a dispute with the government over promotions.
Popcru general secretary Nkosinathi Theledi said the trade union was at the receiving end of “decampaigning by its detractors”.
These included its rival, the South African Police Union (Sapu), which he said was threatening unity within the criminal justice cluster.
“Should this not be adequately addressed, it may lead to further division and mistrust with the aim of dividing and neutralising the bargaining power of trade unionism.
“This would happen within and beyond the public sector,” Theledi said.
Policemen and women have complained that members in specialised units are promoted, while members who work at police stations are left behind.
Popcru has been accused of failing to effectively campaign for the interests of its members.
“We want to start by stating our full knowledge of the conditions under which members within the SAPS, correctional services and traffic work.
“Since our formation we have never forsaken the plight of these members as it is claimed out there, and we will never desert them, despite what the critics are preaching,” Theledi said.
Theledi said Popcru’s work had resulted in three key agreements in the safety and security sectoral bargaining council.
They included job grading and evaluation processes that would be implemented in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 financial years.
“This process was never before undertaken in all the history of the SAPS.
“The implementation of this agreement in a phase-in approach covers the entire workforce insofar as job grading is concerned,” Theledi said.
He said the bargaining council negotiations had involved all parties to the council, including Sapu.
“It is, however, unfortunate and deceptive that Sapu, in their opportunistic attempt to cause confusion to members and mislead the whole nation, went to the media over the outcome of a process which they fully participated in and where they agreed to everything in the bargaining council.
“Funny enough, it was only when the agreements were being implemented that they started making all forms of uncalled for allegations,” he said.
He said while Popcru’s members were providing an essential service, which meant they were not allowed to go on strike, the union would be forced to mobilise its members for action if their conditions were not adequately improved.