Table Mountain National Park Records Positive Festive Season Numbers
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) recorded a successful festive season with visitor numbers, crime incidents and fires presenting an overall encoura...
HOSPERSA has handed SANParks a notice that they plan to embark on strike action, commencing on Wednesday, the 4th July 2007 at 12h00. As per HOSPERSA’s notice, the Kruger National Park; Table Mountain National Park; Mountain Zebra National Park; West Coast National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will be affected by the planned strike action.
The union has not given a fixed time frame for the action, which will include picketing at various workplaces. The strike concerns SANParks refusal to bargain collectively with HOSPERSA with regards to remuneration and conditions of service. The strike is protected as the Union has now issued a notice.
The Chief Executive of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda, said; “Visitors to national parks should not be worried that they will be negatively affected by the strike as we have put contingency plans in place for their comfort.”
“Our visitors must come and enjoy themselves in the parks as they had planned to. We wish them happy memories,” said Dr Mabunda.
SANParks position is that it will only negotiate with HOSPERSA on the basis that the Union represents 50% + 1 of a bargaining unit. HOSPERSA has not met that threshold and are currently representing 26% of a full staff compliment. After the union approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) earlier this year on the same matter, an advisory award was issued by the body ruling in SANParks’ favour.
“We wish the union all the best in trying to achieve this threshold and if they can prove that they have achieved it we will definitely start negotiating with them,” said Dr Mabunda.
Negotiations for this year have been concluded and the principle of no work no pay will apply in this strike.
Issued by: South African National Parks
Enquiries: Wanda Mkutshulwa: Head Communications
South African National Parks
Tel: 082-908-2692