Eish...I'm waiting for a couple of small things off of Ebay...
Warning: SAPO Strikes
Me as well. I oredered a bunch of stuff from China. Always arrived in the past. Maybe look at the buyer protection setup.
I was at the International Mail Centre this morning, I needed to ship two Teles to the US using EMS Couriers.
For the record, I don't ship/sell LS, ES, SG, FB, FV, or Explorer models to the US, Europe or any other country outside of SA.
Imagine how furious I was to find the gate locked, EMS and the Mail Centre closed.
So I phoned one of the ladies that usually helps me on her cellphone.
There are a bunch of strikers who are driving around shutting down (violently) various post offices, including the International Mail Centre.
They shut down Morningside this morning, which made the manager at Gallo Manor also shut down.
Why they striking?
Because there are currently 7500 "casual" staff working for the PO.
They have no contracts, no benefits, etc.
How will the PO possibly be able to suddenly give 7500 workers contracts and benefits...imagine what that will cost?
I was told that all international parcels have been stuck at the Mail Centre since September 9, so if your stuff came in during that period then good luck, because this strike apparently has a long way to go before it's over.
It's screwed me badly.
To ship a Tele in case to the US with EMS Couriers (SA Post Office) costs R1700.00, takes 4 to 5 days to arrive and is delivered to the customers local post office or sometimes direct to his address.
The quotes I got today for the same package using Fedex, DHL and UPS was R5500.00. ???
Looks like I'll be doing some Paypal refunds tonight...thanks SAPO...
For the record, I don't ship/sell LS, ES, SG, FB, FV, or Explorer models to the US, Europe or any other country outside of SA.
Imagine how furious I was to find the gate locked, EMS and the Mail Centre closed.
So I phoned one of the ladies that usually helps me on her cellphone.
There are a bunch of strikers who are driving around shutting down (violently) various post offices, including the International Mail Centre.
They shut down Morningside this morning, which made the manager at Gallo Manor also shut down.
Why they striking?
Because there are currently 7500 "casual" staff working for the PO.
They have no contracts, no benefits, etc.
How will the PO possibly be able to suddenly give 7500 workers contracts and benefits...imagine what that will cost?
I was told that all international parcels have been stuck at the Mail Centre since September 9, so if your stuff came in during that period then good luck, because this strike apparently has a long way to go before it's over.
It's screwed me badly.
To ship a Tele in case to the US with EMS Couriers (SA Post Office) costs R1700.00, takes 4 to 5 days to arrive and is delivered to the customers local post office or sometimes direct to his address.
The quotes I got today for the same package using Fedex, DHL and UPS was R5500.00. ???
Looks like I'll be doing some Paypal refunds tonight...thanks SAPO...
Eish man! That sucksTokai SA wrote: I was at the International Mail Centre this morning, I needed to ship two Teles to the US using EMS Couriers.
For the record, I don't ship/sell LS, ES, SG, FB, FV, or Explorer models to the US, Europe or any other country outside of SA.
Imagine how furious I was to find the gate locked, EMS and the Mail Centre closed.
So I phoned one of the ladies that usually helps me on her cellphone.
There are a bunch of strikers who are driving around shutting down (violently) various post offices, including the International Mail Centre.
They shut down Morningside this morning, which made the manager at Gallo Manor also shut down.
Why they striking?
Because there are currently 7500 "casual" staff working for the PO.
They have no contracts, no benefits, etc.
How will the PO possibly be able to suddenly give 7500 workers contracts and benefits...imagine what that will cost?
I was told that all international parcels have been stuck at the Mail Centre since September 9, so if your stuff came in during that period then good luck, because this strike apparently has a long way to go before it's over.
It's screwed me badly.
To ship a Tele in case to the US with EMS Couriers (SA Post Office) costs R1700.00, takes 4 to 5 days to arrive and is delivered to the customers local post office or sometimes direct to his address.
The quotes I got today for the same package using Fedex, DHL and UPS was R5500.00. ???
Looks like I'll be doing some Paypal refunds tonight...thanks SAPO...
good luck
I recently got retrenched and then picked up a new job - but as a temp on a fixed-term contract that still allows the employer to show me the door early if they want to (though TBF they knew my situation, could have taken advantage of that and low-balled me but didn't ) . So I have some sympathy for temps right now - though I also recognise that half a loaf is better than none (especially at my age).
Exploitation of this situation is an old problem all over the world and has been for some time. You hire "temps" for (say) 3 months, wave them good bye at the end of that term and then hire them as temps again as soon as possible. (I'm not saying the guys I'm currently working for are playing that game - I'm sure they're not - but that doesn't mean that this game doesn't get played).
It's worse in Europe actually where labour law is more in the employer's favour.
Hopefully I'll pick up a full time position next year, but right now I'm well inclined towards those who pick up the cudgels on behalf of temporary workers.
Exploitation of this situation is an old problem all over the world and has been for some time. You hire "temps" for (say) 3 months, wave them good bye at the end of that term and then hire them as temps again as soon as possible. (I'm not saying the guys I'm currently working for are playing that game - I'm sure they're not - but that doesn't mean that this game doesn't get played).
It's worse in Europe actually where labour law is more in the employer's favour.
Hopefully I'll pick up a full time position next year, but right now I'm well inclined towards those who pick up the cudgels on behalf of temporary workers.
they've apparently burnt down the vanderbijlpark post office... logical thinking patterns go out the window when they get into groups like this... they obviously don't realise that they've now cost a bunch of temp workers their temp jobs and the possibility of them becoming permanent. sigh. I'm not saying that the post office is right for keeping them as casuals for so long...But burning down a post office won't really help...it will get them attention I guess.
I've devised a plan, but I need someone in Durban to help me out.
As far as I can tell the Durban strike has been resolved, so EMS Couriers should be operating in Durban.
The plan is, I use Fedex to ship the package to Durban, then EMS Couriers to collect the package in Durbs and off to the US. ?
Now all I need to do is find someone in Durbs willing to participate in the plan....any volunteers? ?
I'm going to phone EMS in Durban tomorrow morning and see if they're working...
As far as I can tell the Durban strike has been resolved, so EMS Couriers should be operating in Durban.
The plan is, I use Fedex to ship the package to Durban, then EMS Couriers to collect the package in Durbs and off to the US. ?
Now all I need to do is find someone in Durbs willing to participate in the plan....any volunteers? ?
I'm going to phone EMS in Durban tomorrow morning and see if they're working...
Hey Lance I was at the international mail centre yesterday to try my luck but of course no one there. I was furious. waiting for some very expensive parts for one of my bikes that I ordered about 6 weeks ago with USPS. If anything happens to that parcel I'm gonna be seriously angry!!!!!!! > > > >
> > >13 days later
Does anyone have any news regarding this? Has any received anything yet? Strikes seem to be on and off in different areas.
I'm still waiting, and I can't get through to any call centres to track. If anyone has a number that works please post it..
I'm still waiting, and I can't get through to any call centres to track. If anyone has a number that works please post it..
As far as I know EMS at the international hub is not operational. > >
>
uh.. ya.
Eish man! I'm waiting for some stuff from fleabay!
Looks like the rebuild on my 1200 Bandit's going to take a bit longer then....
Great.
Great.
A strike often turns out to be a "blackmail" move by a critical monopoly to prove its value and engineer better rewards. In practice it often forces people to find alternatives or create an entrepreneurial opportunity for alternatives to get created
We need a Maggie Thatcher to open up a can of whup-ass on these unions
Postnet uses their own courier service. It is a bit more expensive than SAPO, but at least you get what you want.funkadelic wrote: Hi. Will this strike impact Postnet? I understand that Postnet uses SAPO infrastructure?
Or just turn everyone she looks at into stoneAttila Barath wrote: We need a Maggie Thatcher to open up a can of whup-ass on these unions
15 days later
Update via SAPO:
Many residents of Gauteng are receiving mail again as mail processing continues in Tshwane Mail and Witspos, the major sorting centres of Gauteng. Tshwane Mail is today manned at 88% of full capacity. The mail centre will work over weekends and later introduce a night shift when enough employees and mail containers become available.
Witspos sorting centre has introduced a night shift.
Incidents of intimidation have been reduced following support from the SA Police Services and street delivery in most areas of Pretoria has resumed. In the greater Johannesburg area, delivery to postboxes has resumed.
A significant backlog remains at the Johannesburg International Mail Centre for mail coming into South Africa from other countries. Mail is flowing to countries outside South Africa. International surface mail is not affected by the industrial action.
No post offices are closed as a result of intimidation. Repair work has started on the post offices that were damaged by striking workers and these offices are expected to start opening from Monday 10 November.
Mail processing has also resumed at the Polokwane sorting centre, which was affected by industrial action. In other provinces the mail service is normal with no employees on strike.
Many residents of Gauteng are receiving mail again as mail processing continues in Tshwane Mail and Witspos, the major sorting centres of Gauteng. Tshwane Mail is today manned at 88% of full capacity. The mail centre will work over weekends and later introduce a night shift when enough employees and mail containers become available.
Witspos sorting centre has introduced a night shift.
Incidents of intimidation have been reduced following support from the SA Police Services and street delivery in most areas of Pretoria has resumed. In the greater Johannesburg area, delivery to postboxes has resumed.
A significant backlog remains at the Johannesburg International Mail Centre for mail coming into South Africa from other countries. Mail is flowing to countries outside South Africa. International surface mail is not affected by the industrial action.
No post offices are closed as a result of intimidation. Repair work has started on the post offices that were damaged by striking workers and these offices are expected to start opening from Monday 10 November.
Mail processing has also resumed at the Polokwane sorting centre, which was affected by industrial action. In other provinces the mail service is normal with no employees on strike.
I actually nearly fell off my chair today (I can see the road/gate from where I sit in my study) when the postman arrived for the first time in AGES today. He deposited two "you've got stuff at the post office slips".
So...I finally got some of my ebay items today... In Vereeniging, so things are getting going again!
So...I finally got some of my ebay items today... In Vereeniging, so things are getting going again!
I'm happy for you, I hope my stuff comes soon ?warrenpridgeon wrote: I actually nearly fell off my chair today (I can see the road/gate from where I sit in my study) when the postman arrived for the first time in AGES today. He deposited two "you've got stuff at the post office slips".
So...I finally got some of my ebay items today... In Vereeniging, so things are getting going again!