Groblersdal Post Office brought to halt due to CWU strike

GROBLERSDAL – Clients at the Groblersdal Post Office were left stranded as services came to a halt on Friday when members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) joined their counterparts in the nationwide strike over wage increases.

The members held up placards with messages on wage increases and housing subsidies they wanted Post Office South Africa to address as they peacefully burst into struggle songs, leaving clients in total disarray due to not being serviced.

They demanded housing subsidy, a 12% wage increase, which they said they have not had any for the past three years and permanent jobs for casual workers among others.

A client, who did not want her name published, said they were frustrated by the strike action as they could not get services from the Post Office on the day.

“We came here to get services but because the workers are on strike. We are forced to go back home. We sympathise with the workers because they are fighting for their rights. The wish is for management to listen to their problem and come up with an amicable solution for the strike to be over, and the situation to be normalized,” said the client.

Nokuthula Maphanga, a Post Office worker, said they participated in the strike to support other members who also partook in the strike at the national level.

Maphanga said going without a wage increase for the past three years affected workers adversely as VAT keeps increasing.

“The situation is bad for us. We get paid today and tomorrow we have nothing. We wish the leaders and the management will reach an agreement that is best for both parties for our lives to be better financially,” said Maphanga.