Bus strike continues as unions reject employers’ offer

The unions involved in the national bus strike have decided to intensify the strike after unions and bus employees failed to reach an agreement today.

During a briefing in Woodmead, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Tirisano Transport Workers Union, Transport and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (Towu) and the Transport and Omnibus Workers Union all agreed that the strike continues.

This is because “employers adopted a very provocative attitude which constitutes an insult to workers.”

“…Employers came to the CCMA interventions to say that they have now changed their minds and are now accepting the mediator’s proposal of 8% in the first year and 8.5% in the second year.”

The unions however proposed a 9.5% increment in the first year and 9% in the second year. This resulted in the deadlock.

The unions said: “…This is a position we told them that we were willing to take as a settlement to our members, unfortunately employers maintained a rigid stance and rejected all our movements and attempts to find a settlement.”

The unions called on all their members in the bus passenger sector to intensify the strike until such time that employers make an offer that can settle the matter.

They called on all communities to be patient and fully support the strike and “the struggle for workers for a living wage.”

The unions also call on the government to intervene to “ensure that a settlement is found in particular the Department of Transport and the Department of Labour.”

The strike was in its third day today, as long queues around cities continued to leave commuters frustrated.