News

South African National Parks (SANParks) today expressed concern regarding the contents of a media release by the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) around the current salaries negotiations. HOSPERSA has gone against the spirit of the joint relationship agreement that expressly states that “In any dispute between the Parties, while the Parties are engaged in any dispute resolution procedures involving meetings to attempt to resolve the dispute, including any CCMA conciliation procedures; only if agreed at the beginning of the dispute; neither party shall approach the media or make any statement to the media before advising the other party in advance of their approach and affording the other party twelve (12) hours to respond to the contents of the proposed statement”. SANParks is considering HOSPERSA’s breach of the said agreement on and may terminate it after affording the union the opportunity to explain or provide reasons as to why it had chosen to act contrary to the requirements of the joint relationship agreement.

SANParks Management has offered unions a Without Prejudice Offer of 6 percent across the board increase, excluding 1 percent pay progression for employees in the bargaining unit (Paterson A1 to C5 Bands). The offer was rejected by the unions even though it totalled a 7 percent salary adjustment. The CCMA Commissioner then requested all parties to seek new mandates in thirty days with the aim of resolving the matter.

SANParks considered the CCMA’s request favourably and tabled a revised Without Prejudice Offer which entailed an across the board salary increase of 6 percent plus 1 percent pay progression with applicable conditions, effective from 1st April 2019 which totalled to 7 percent. An additional 1 percent computed on the March 2019 salaries will be effected from 1st October 2019. The organisation also offered improved allowances for night shift, camping out, sleep out and tool of the trade.

The above mentioned revised Without Prejudice Offer totalling 8 percent was rejected by the unions, much to the disappointment of SANParks.

The current status is that parties have to finalise picketing rules and agree to the facilitation of a strike ballot. SANParks provided its proposal on picketing rules to the unions on 3rd September 2019 and has to date not received any counter-proposals. Subsequently, the organisation has invited the unions to a meeting to discuss the said rules on 18th September 2019.

In another related matter on Sunday and Holiday Pay, SANParks was found not to have broken any rules by an external expert services provider. The outcomes of the investigation concluded that the current calculations are aligned to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997.

“We have done what we could in our capacity as a responsible and caring employer to give the best offer on the table and to clarify the Sunday and Holiday pay issue. The economic climate is not conducive to tabling these kinds of offers and we are actually much closer to each other with the unions even though they have rejected the offer. We also advise tourists not to cancel any bookings because of rumours but should contact us for further details” concluded SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni.

Issued By

Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media Enquiries

Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell 083 673 6974
Email: [email protected]