Issued by: The Department of Justice
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENTAL BARGAINING CHAMBER: 13 JANUARY 1998
The Department of Justice had called a special meeting of the departmental Chamber to discuss with employee organisations the reasons for the suspension of the paying out of claims for overtime duties for the remainder of the financial year and proposals for the possible resolution of the matter.
The matter which was tabled by the Department was seen by the employee organisations as a negotiable issue and not as a matter for consultation at the Department upheld. As a result, and regrettably so, the employee organisations could not afford the Department of Justice an opportunity to present the facts before the Chamber. Before any discussions on the matter tabled could be discussed, the employee organisations opted to declare a dispute over the Department's standpoint that the resolution of the matter is not one for negotiation but for consultation.
The result is that the dispute over this technical issue will now be submitted for arbitration and that employees in the Department have been denied the opportunity to be informed on this very crucial matter and to influence the immediate course of events.
The Department will with effect from tomorrow 14 January 1998 stop payment of overtime. The Department will however continue to endeavour to find the necessary funding to resume paid overtime if possible even before the end of the financial year.
The Department would like to thank all employees for continuing to render services to the general public even during this crucial time.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATION SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
CONTACT PERSON:
1. DAVID POROGO: CHIEF DIRECTOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES CELL: 082 651 8526 TEL 012 315 1111 2. NISSAM HENDRICKS CELL: 083 274 7536 TEL 012 315 1111