The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) and the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA’s) planned protest action which was scheduled for Friday, 20th September 2019 is cancelled, after the employer (SANParks) came with an offer. Both the unions and the employer came into an agreement on Wednesday,18th September 2019 at Skukuza regarding the long-waited salary dispute.

 

The agreement will apply to the SANParks employees in the Bargaining Unit (Paterson Job Grades A1 to C5) who were employed prior to 1st April 2019. Hence, they will be receiving an across the board increase of 7% from 1st May 2019 to 31st March 2020 and the remaining 1% shall be a salary adjustment as an annual pay progression, excluding the following:

  • Employees who have not completes a year’s service
  • Those that were salary adjustments to their salaries,
  • Those whose salaries are above the maximum of the applicable Paterson job grade and
  • Finally, those whose final performance rating score is less than 3.

 

The newly concluded agreement also highlights the allowances, tool of trade allowances, uniform allowance increases of 7% and in terms of vacancies, positions shall be advertised internally in accordance with the Recruitment and Selection Policy before its advertised externally.

 

Parties have agreed that SANParks shall then approach its Principal Officer to request an open window between the SANParks Pension Fund and SACCAWU national Provident Fund so that the members can have the option to transfer from one to the other.

 

This is a great victory for the workers and the unions, especially considering the initial demand of 8% as of 1st April 2019, while the employer was offering 6% and the 1% from the 1st June 2019 and the remaining 1% as of 1st October 2019.

 

NUPSAW congratulate its members for their perseverance during the long and tough dispute with SANParks, and HOSPERSA for their solidarity and help. The victory at SANParks shows the benefits of being part of a union and of a collective bargaining which makes a difference for workers’ pay and working conditions.