 
|
The
Editorial page is a recent addition to the Westville CPF website started on
the 19th September 2009. The editorial content offers input from
people wishing to promote the safety and security needs of the residents,
businesses in and visitors to Westville. A forum within a forum? A
place to air your feelings, make suggestions even to give praise where it
may be appropriate. It can be used as "Letters to the
editor" page. The Westville CPF reserves the right to edit
and/or not publish items submitted.
The articles will be posted in date order. Two articles on a page and
older will archived, though still accessible, to make way for the
next..
 |
| To
the editor: - 5th June 2010
The following Article was copied
from the South African Police Union Website.
http://www.sapu.org.za/Media_Releases/2010/May/Salary_negotiations_sapu_declares_dispute.html
"Salary negotiations - SAPU declares dispute
- 21 May 2010
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) would like to express it dismay, anger and disappointment at the attitude of government negotiators in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). To say we are embarrassed to declare a dispute during these early stages of negotiations is an understatement. SAPU would like to call upon the political principals of the Department of Public Service and Administration to give leadership.
A group of public sector unions including SAPU were forced to declare a dispute last night (Thursday 20 May 2010) after we have realized that the government came with an offer of 5,2% in salary increment whilst were demanding 11 %. This government offer is well below even to the 5,3 % CPIX. There’s no way that we can go to members with such an insult. This is totally unacceptable.
We also find it totally unacceptable that the government wanted to postpone salary negotiations until the end of July. As we have declared a dispute we are now heading for mediation whom we believe might assist the parties before the situation gets out of control. It is also extremely unfair that this salary increment offer is only linked to the basic salary. This means it excludes medical aid and other benefits like car allowance, whilst the senior management packages will always be inclusive of these benefits.
It is a disaster with the police as recently Polmed-the police medical aid increased premiums whilst there is no increase in benefits. We call upon the government to be an exemplary employer, there is no way that public servants will be motivated if they are being paid peanuts. Although there is no justification for bribery and shoddy service rendered, we must avoid at all costs instances that will expose public servants to temptation."
My comment is simply to ask the
question. Is this fair that the Police, who are tasked with
making our lives safe from crime are expected to accept a paltry
increase and are not permitted to strike in protest. Compare this
to the seemingly over staffed parastatals that can hold the
country to ransom are permitted to strike, cost the countries
economy billions of Rands and get double digit increases for their
trouble.
P S There seems to be a slightly
better offer around 6,2% on the table since this article was
published.
From L T a
concerned Westville resident. |
May
2010
SMOKING UNDER PRESSURE. By. Julian Carter
 I probably shouldn’t be writing this article because, although now reformed in the main, I have in the past been as guilty as the people I’m being critical of today. As an example, I used to smoke anything up to sixty cigarettes per day as a young man until, in my late thirties; I sought the help of a hypnotherapist when I realized at last that I was taking years off my life. Now I am getting used to being accepted as “a total pain in the butt” when I try to reform any other heavy smoker who comes within earshot.
What is it that makes a person who battles to make ends meet spend a few remaining rand on smoke or drink, instead of life sustaining food? An “Outie” who begs for a smoke, or a street child who uses a few gathered cents to buy glue rather than sustenance. There are probably many excellent answers to the question. Stress, habit, loss of hope, peer pressure and the pressures of others on the make, would be some. But how many people have practical answers to these problems? I am certainly no expert in the field but I suspect that, although there are many well meaning people out there wanting to assist, the real answer must remain with the individual.
So what has this got to do with general crime, and the containment thereof? Perhaps the answer lies in the generality of us being self-centered and taking very little interest in those around us, unless there is something in it for us. It’s an attitude of: “I’ll look after myself and to hell with the rest of you.” I know of a few Politicians, at all levels of Government, who have adopted this as their creed. And this can be infectious. “If it’s good enough for him/her, why shouldn’t it be good enough for me?” Crime is generated from example and I sincerely believe that today, in this country at least, is mainly the work of masterminds who make use of people with bad habits who are basically lazy and looking for the easy way.
It will not happen overnight but I do believe that it is important to start changing people’s habits, particularly when related to crime. Break the mould and join in the fight, instead of complaining about you own personal lot in life. I was recently submitted, for the third time at least, to hearing a person rant and rage about the possible inadequacy of our police force in the fairly distant past. Did this achieve anything, other than the person’s possible admittance to an institution? Yes it did. It totally destroyed the positive message we had just been listening to and sent some people back into their little personal comfort zones. What a great pity.
Please join many others in the smoke free zone and enlarge the fight against crime and corruption. It can be done.
Comment/feedback directly to Julian
Carter: cardru@saol.com |
|
|
| Archived
Editorial Comment |
|
