Revenue Service on industrial action

[I Robot]

South African Revenue Service (SARS) reporting on the impact of industrial action

7 September 2009

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) can confirm that despite today's industrial action, all offices across the country remained operational and open for business.

Operations did continue at a reduced level with the biggest impact experienced between 10h00 and 12h00. Branch offices in the Western Cape, Bellville and Cape Town were the most affected in the morning by an attendance rate of about 20%. After protesting workers issued SARS management with memorandums, many staff members returned to their offices.

Branch offices in Durban and Cape Town were closed temporarily for a short period during protest actions but later resumed operations. While offices operated within the contingency plans, the reduced numbers of staff did result in longer queues. For those taxpayers who were not able to remain in queues for prolonged periods a ticketing system was introduced.

The strike's impact on customs services was minimal, with the exception of Durban harbour and the Lebombo border post. At OR Tambo International Airport 95% of staff reported for duty in the morning; however 50% left at about 10h00. Skeleton staff was deployed to manage critical functions. The transfer to the 14h00 shift occurred without incident.

Attempts to disrupt operations at the Lebombo and Durban ports of entry resulted in the South African Police Service intervening to ensure that no incidents of intimidation, obstruction of trade, violence or the destruction to property occurred.

SARS will continue to negotiate with organised labour to reach a mutually acceptable wage agreement. With respect to the court application which SARS brought on Friday, seeking an urgent interdict to prevent the strike action, the court this morning dismissed the SARS application. The basis for the dismissal is that the application lacked urgency.

The court held that SARS should apply to the CCMA on the issue of whether SARS operations can be regarded as an essential service that can be exempt from industrial action in future. SARS will approach the CCMA with a formal application soon.

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[Dave A]

All I can say is thank goodness for eFiling. Didn't feel a thing filing my returns yesterday

[I Robot]

South African Revenue Service (SARS) update on industrial action

9 September 2009

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has evaluated the impact of the third day of industrial action on its operations and can confirms that close to 80% of SARS personnel reported today for duty. Sporadic protests by striking National Education and Health Workers Union (NEHAWU) workers did cause disruptions at some border posts.

Disruptions were also caused by anonymous bomb threats to the customs office in Durban and the Carlton Centre Branch office in Johannesburg. These offices were evacuated and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted security searches. SAPS will conduct further investigations.

SARS views these as intimidation tactics against non-striking workers. The Public Service Association (PSA) has notified its members in writing that any further strike action has been suspended, pending further talks between the union and SARS.

SARS will also continue to engage NEHAWU on a bi-lateral basis. SARS stands by its decision of yesterday that no further concessions will be made to the current proposal of a nine to eleven percent wage increase. SARS will also continue to apply the no-work-no-pay-rule and will continue to employ all measures necessary to protect non-striking staff and taxpayers against threats of intimidation.

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