HOSPERSA DISTANCES ITSELF FROM REPORTED FORENSIC PATHOLOGY STRIKE

Hospersa has distanced itself from the reported strike by Forensic Pathology Officers (FPO’s) in the Gauteng province. The Union has urged its members to not participate in the illegal strike which has seen services disrupted in Gauteng mortuaries.

According to reports, FPO’s in Gauteng have embarked on a go-slow causing a delay in funeral arrangements for many bereaved families. The most affected facility is the Germiston Mortuary where it is reported that there are more than sixty bodies that have piled up due to delays in post-mortems. It is reported that the FPO’s are demanding formal autopsy training from the Department of Health (DoH) in order to qualify for increased remuneration.

Hospersa has urged its members in the affected facilities to not participate in the illegal strike. Last year, the Union played a pivotal role in ending a similar strike by FPO’s over the reinstatement of danger allowance and recognition for the autopsy functions they perform. The matter was taken to the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC) where an agreement was reached by the Trade Unions and the DoH.

“We have not received any reports that it is our members who have embarked on industrial action at the reported mortuaries,” said Hospersa General Secretary, Noel Desfontaines. “We have further advised our members not to join the striking group but to rather bring any pending issues to our attention for correct remedial action,” added Desfontaines.

“It is devastating and unfortunate that bereaved families are made to endure even more suffering after the loss of a loved one due to the industrial action. We will continue using correct platforms like the PHSDSBC to address any pending issues brought forward by our members to ensure their conditions of employment are improved and service delivery is not disrupted,” concluded Desfontaines.