By Tshepiso Mogotsi
LABOUR unions representing Metro Police officers, have settled their dispute with management, following a series of talks between the two parties.
At a meeting on Thursday in Braamfontein between the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu), the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), an agreement was reached on four of the eight demands made by the unions.
In terms of the agreement, JMPD will put in place a moratorium on all appointments until May 2. Officers who do not have car allowance will be employed to drive the chief of police instead of officers with travelling allowances. Management also promised to stop forcing suspended employees to sign a register and will open discussions on amounts to be deducted from employees who have been over paid.
It was further agreed that other matters mainly: parity in pay, retirement of employees at the age of 55 and the suspension of senior JMPD official, will be addressed at a relationship building workshop.
As part of Thursday's agreement a march by metro police officers, planned for April 25, has now been cancelled.
JJ Van Rensburg, spokesperson for IMATU said the union welcomed the agreement and hopes management will honour the deal.
