The process of seeking recognition status in the post office started in April 2009, which culminated in the signing of the Settlement Agreement on 27 May 2010. The purpose of the settlement was to outline a process that was to culminate in the signing of the Collective/Recognition Agreement, which the post office backtracked at the 11th Hour. On 14 February 2011 SAPWU, Postal Workers Unions In South Africa got an award titled the “Valentine’s Award”, which was in favor of giving us certain organizational rights ( Section 12.13 and 15). The post office then took the award under review at the Labour Court, the post office succeeded in setting the award aside.
We finally signed our 1st Recognition Agreement with the post office on September 1, 2011. This was after we got a second award against the post office granting us organizational rights. The reluctant post office management finally succumbed and gave recognition to SAPWU, the only Postal Workers Unions In South Africa.