AA accepts memorandum of demands from protesting towing board members
Automobile Association of South Africa has been given 14 days to respond to the Towing Association board's demands or see another protest.
Traffic came to a complete halt when protesting South African Towing Repair Transformation Board (SATRTB) members blocked Allandale Road.
They disrupted morning traffic as various routes leading to Allandale were affected including N1 and Waterfall Drive all the way to the R55 on June 29.
The disgruntled workers from various towing associations around South Africa converged in Waterfall City before driving in a convoy to the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa in Denis Paxton House, 4 Hyperion Road in Barbeque Downs, Kyalami, to deliver their memorandum of demands.
Conveyer Kabelo Mojela said among their demands was that the AA must distribute their jobs fairly to all the affiliated towing associations, be transparent and inclusive with the distribution of their credit tows and roadside assistance calls. “AA has failed to meet our demands in the previous communication through their legal department.
“Our request to them was that we want the AA to open doors for small, emerging towing companies. They have selected service providers and they also have in-house services to service the very same clients eventually, locking small business out.”
He said the association has 14 days to respond to their demands starting from today (June 29).
SATRTB represents Mpumalanga, Western Cape, South African Repair, Gatvol, National Equality Economic Charter and Zabalaza Towing associations, among others.
AA spokesperson Layton Beard, who accepted the memorandum and addressed thousands of chanting workers, said they will look at the memorandum despite being in talks with SATRTB.
“We are a little perplexed by the strike action because we have been in discussion and we have acceded to their demands. However, we will look at the memorandum and respond as completely and comprehensively as we can within their time frame.”
Both parties refused to reveal how much they paid or charged per call regarding road assistance.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/304620/aa-does-not-agree-with-minister-on-various-transport-issues
