President Speech, Joe Chauke

South African Post Office, Substantive Negotiation Signing Ceremony, Gallagher Estate, Lotus 2, 28 July 2006

Chief Executive, Group Human Resource Executive, CWU negotiators, Members of the Management, Invited guests

Receive warm greetings

The early finalisation of the substantive negotiations confirms the commitment and dedication by all stakeholders in a liberalized and competitive environment.  This agreement must bring better life to all SAPO workers.  The Communication Workers Union will applaud the speedy finalisation of all deferred matters within this financial year.

Better life delayed better life denied. The SAPO workers are no longer going to accept any argument that intends to convince them about the delay of their benefits.  CWU is vehemently opposed to any form of cheap labour and outsourcing of services. The usage of private consultants even on minor post office matters leaves much to be desired to those responsible Executives.

We therefore call for an audit/or investigation of all outsourced activities/programmes by the Post Office. Surely, the newly appointed executives and managers will ensure that their performance will be in line with the mandate of the institution. We need cadres who are able to take the institution to all sectors of the economy.  This will have to be augmented by the strong Human Resources Development strategy that is able to equip the current workforce with the required skills in converging industry.

The proclamation of the two important pieces of the industry legislation, namely, the Electronic and Communication Act and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Amendment Act by the office of the State President paves way for the convergence. The migration of the accounting, Postal regulator, to merge with ICASA confirms the battle ahead.

The investment by the state in this institution must be appreciated by all organs of the portfolio organisation and be able to create descent (sustainable) jobs and half the high unemployment rate that beset our developing country. We therefore need to commend stakeholders who abide by the developmental agenda as opposed to profit making and line their pockets with huge bonuses at the expense of the poor workers.

The call (by CWU) for the removal of all elements that are Anti-transformation and want to use the resources of the state for their individual gains must reverberate to all establishments of the institution including people tasked with the management responsibilities.

CWU will ensure that the leadership of all portfolio organisations within the Information and Communication Technology industry is driven by the transformation agenda, and in line with the resolutions of the Sector Job Summit (that was facilitated by NEDLAC). Hence the CWU is demanding labour representation in all structures, including the Board.

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Comments: Mfanafuthi Sithebe

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