Backing police strike ‘reckless’

PSA slams trade unions which support action that is opposed to the Labour Relations Act

THE Public Service Association (PSA) yesterday said it was “alarmed by the irresponsible support” for police officers to embark on an “illegal strike” and warned that it was “reckless” of any trade union to back such action that was at odds with the Labour Relations Act.

Murmurs of a possible strike have been swirling since last week and on Monday hundreds of police officers

Hundreds of disgruntled Western Cape police officers took to the streets yesterday to highlight their frustration with the promotions process. Many who joined the march, led by the newly-formed South African Police and Allied Workers Union (Sapawu) to Parliament, had put in sick leave notes to explain their absence.

Chief among the complaints was the exclusion of senior officers from promotions.

“It is reckless of any trade union to put thousands of police officers’ careers on the line by encouraging them to embark on an illegal strike, on conditions of service contained in the agreements that the very same union had negotiated in the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC), which is the relevant bargaining structure. The PSA is not a party to the SSSBC, although it does represent a substantial number of uniform personnel,” PSA general manager Ivan Fredericks said.

“Beside crying over the self-negotiated agreement, the ideal avenue on the quarrel would still be to declare a dispute about the non-implementation of the signed agreements or approach the courts in these circumstances,” said Fredericks.

“The PSA is therefore calling on those current participants in the bargaining