Sasbo firmly opposes Absa retrenchments
Financial services trade union Sasbo, which represents about 20,000 workers at Absa (ASA), said on Thursday it would never agree to any retrenchments at the country’s largest retail banking group.
“Currently there is much noise in the system about 3,000 employees that will be retrenched, but we would like to place it on record that we will oppose retrenchments. Our understanding is that this process is about the bank’s realignment/restructuring of its operations and intended to do job matching,” the union said in a statement.
“We are fully aware of the fact that restructuring may lead to retrenchments but we will closely monitor the situation and make absolutely sure that Absa complies with every process and procedure of all the provisions of the Absa Reassignment and Retrenchment Policy and the relevant labour laws,” Sasbo added.
“In fact we will continue to demand that Absa does everything in its power to avoid retrenchments and to take steps such as transferring, filling vacant positions through natural attrition and/or redeploying employees.
“Before Absa decides to retrench its staff, the Union will ensure that the bank consults with us on this very important matter,” the trade union said.
It said that, currently, the affected staff members were in a three-month reassignment period where they would be given opportunities to be re-deployed to available vacant positions.
“We assure you that we have our finger on the pulse; and we also have the advantage of demanding accurate information from the Bank during our constant consultations as the sole majority and the only recognised Union.
“We understand that there are uncertainties amongst our members but don’t be afraid because we are supporting you throughout this whole process. We will continue to protect and defend the interests of our members.
“We are firmly against retrenchments and believe one job lost is one too many,” the union concluded.
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