Warning against disunity in security cluster unions
THE leadership of Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has warned that the rivalry between it and the South African Police Union (Sapu) threatened unity among workers in the criminal justice cluster.
Popcru general secretary Nkosinathi Theledi said the union was at the receiving end of attacks, including by its rival, 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 therefore neutralising, the bargaining power of trade unionism within and beyond the public sector,” Theledi said.
Police officers around the country had recently threatened to take to the streets and protest over a dispute with government over promotions.
The members have complained that policemen in specialised units had been promoted while members who work at police stations were left behind, and 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 SA Police Service, 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 critics are preaching,” Theledi said.
He said the union’s work had resulted in three key agreements within the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council, including the job grading and evaluation process which will be implemented in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 financial years.
“This process was never undertaken in the history of SAPS. The implementation of this agreement in a phased-in approach covers the entire workforce insofar as job grading is concerned,” he said.
He said the SSSBC negotiations had involved all parties to the council, including Sapu.
“It is unfortunate and deceptive that Sapu, in their opportunistic attempt to cause confusion to members and mislead the whole nation, went to the media ( with the outcome of a process in which they fully participated and agreed to everything in the bargaining council). Funnily enough, it was only when the agreements were implemented that they started making all forms of uncalled for allegations,” he said.
He said while the its members were providing an essential service, which meant they were not allowed to strike, the union would be forced to mobilise its members for action if their conditions were not adequately improved.