WPRU president Thelo Wakefield has reiterated that the union cannot afford to pay bonuses or offer salary increases to all staff.

According to a report on Netwerk24, staff categorised in the grade four to seven salary tiers received an annual bonus of 100% and a salary increase of 6% in November. The middle and senior executives in grade one to three salary tiers have had their bonuses cut to 50% with the payment postponed until March next year.

Those employees are now threatening to strike in the new year unless the union puts it in writing that said bonuses will be paid in March.

Speaking on behalf of the workers Piet Heymans, the secretary and spokesperson of the trade union Sport Employers Unite, says there’ll be a meeting with WP in the new year to discuss the issue.

‘WP’s compensation committee recommended that all employees get the same increase,’ Heymans told Netwerk24. ‘Why then change your committee’s own decision?

‘It may be an option that those who did not get increases will be paid retrospectively, but in that case it should be in writing.’

But Wakefield insists the union cannot afford to spend money it does not have.

‘We do not want to make a Steinhoff of Western Province. Our resources will be reduced if 13th cheques are chosen over job security,’ Wakefield countered.

‘Our financial situation is in the process of improving nicely. The motto is to do more with less, without decreasing standards. We will not rest until WP has financial reserves again.’

Earlier this year the union’s business arm – WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd – was forced into liquidation after facing a multi-million rand claim from sports marketing company Aerios. It has also been reported that the union is in the process of selling Newlands Stadium.

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