Union says security guards will strike

NAMIBIA’S security guards are set to go on a nationwide strike on Friday.

The announcement was made yesterday after the conciliation board meeting between the guards’ representatives and the Security Association of Namibia (SAN) broke down on Monday. Security guards were set to strike on August 14, but had to call it off to allow for conciliation between the opposing parties.The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) and the Namibia Security Guards and Watchmen Union (NASGWU), representing the guards, cancelled the initial strike at the eleventh hour because correct procedures had not been followed.At the time, the security guards expressed disappointment with their representatives, as they had already left their workplaces to participate in the strike.They were told on the morning of the planned strike to return to their workplaces, while procedural issues were attended to.Now that the conciliation board established by the Office of the Labour Commissioner could not find an amicable solution between the parties, Friday has been set as D-Day for the strike.The Police said they would be on high alert to ensure the safety of the nation, as they did for the strike that was planned for August 14.Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu of the Police public relations department did not want to comment yesterday.However, he did say that the same contingency measures planned for the initial strike would be in place.These measures include informing regional commanders about the strike to reinforce staff to ensure that no one’s safety is compromised.The Chief of the Windhoek City Police, Abraham Kanime, told The Namibian yesterday that although he had not been personally informed of the strike, the burden of ensuring security in the city will shift to other law enforcement agencies.The unions are demanding a N$1,41 increase to the current minimum hourly rate of N$2,09 for the entry level, bringing their hourly wages to N$3,50 – or N$42 per shift.On the other hand, SAN proposed a 41 cent increase, bringing the hourly rate to N$2,50 and the pay per shift to N$30.The two parties stuck to their guns at the conciliation meeting, with neither prepared to budge an inch.In a statement issued last night, SAN said the union demand was unrealistic and held financial implications of some N$163 million for the business sector, which “will not be economically feasible and affordable”.The employers also accused the unions of wanting to hijack the conciliation forum and transform it into a bargaining unit.SAN further claimed that the unions only had recognition agreements with four per cent of security companies in Namibia.After the breakdown in the conciliation board talks, the two unions yesterday called on all security guards across the country to hand over their service firearms to their employers on the day of the strike and to join the nationwide strike on Friday.The unions vowed that the strike would only be called off once an acceptable offer was made by employers.On the other hand the employers say: “As for SAN, the status quo remains as is.”Natau Secretary General John Kwedhi said notice of the intended strike was submitted to the Office of the Labour Commissioner as required by law.”All procedures were followed in terms of the law and the industrial action will commence within the prescribed time,” Kwedhi added.He said that the two unions were still available for further negotiations.”We have sat four times but the parties failed to resolve the disputes.We have continued to negotiate in good faith.We even went to the extent of withdrawing the demand for a 15 per cent increase across the board, and a general wage increment has been referred to individual employers,” Kwedhi said.The employers said the two unions would be held responsible for any damages and economic consequences arising from the strike.Security guards were set to strike on August 14, but had to call it off to allow for conciliation between the opposing parties.The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) and the Namibia Security Guards and Watchmen Union (NASGWU), representing the guards, cancelled the initial strike at the eleventh hour because correct procedures had not been followed.At the time, the security guards expressed disappointment with their representatives, as they had already left their workplaces to participate in the strike.They were told on the morning of the planned strike to return to their workplaces, while procedural issues were attended to.Now that the conciliation board established by the Office of the Labour Commissioner could not find an amicable solution between the parties, Friday has been set as D-Day for the strike.The Police said they would be on high alert to ensure the safety of the nation, as they did for the strike that was planned for August 14. Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu of the Police public relations department did not want to comment yesterday.However, he did say that the same contingency measures planned for the initial strike would be in place.These measures include informing regional commanders about the strike to reinforce staff to ensure that no one’s safety is compromised.The Chief of the Windhoek City Police, Abraham Kanime, told The Namibian yesterday that although he had not been personally informed of the strike, the burden of ensuring security in the city will shift to other law enforcement agencies.The unions are demanding a N$1,41 increase to the current minimum hourly rate of N$2,09 for the entry level, bringing their hourly wages to N$3,50 – or N$42 per shift.On the other hand, SAN proposed a 41 cent increase, bringing the hourly rate to N$2,50 and the pay per shift to N$30.The two parties stuck to their guns at the conciliation meeting, with neither prepared to budge an inch.In a statement issued last night, SAN said the union demand was unrealistic and held financial implications of some N$163 million for the business sector, which “will not be economically feasible and affordable”.The employers also accused the unions of wanting to hijack the conciliation forum and transform it into a bargaining unit.SAN further claimed that the unions only had recognition agreements with four per cent of security companies in Namibia.After the breakdown in the conciliation board talks, the two unions yesterday called on all security guards across the country to hand over their service firearms to their employers on the day of the strike and to join the nationwide strike on Friday. The unions vowed that the strike would only be called off once an acceptable offer was made by employers.On the other hand the employers say: “As for SAN, the status quo remains as is.”Natau Secretary General John Kwedhi said notice of the intended strike was submitted to the Office of the Labour Commissioner as required by law.”All procedures were followed in terms of the law and the industrial action will commence within the prescribed time,” Kwedhi added.He said that the two unions were still available for further negotiations.”We have sat four times but the parties failed to resolve the disputes.We have continued to negotiate in good faith.We even went to the extent of withdrawing the demand for a 15 per cent increase across the board, and a general wage increment has been referred to individual employers,” Kwedhi said.The employers said the two unions would be held responsible for any damages and economic consequences arising from the strike.