THE South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU) is warning the public of a national bus strike next week. SATAWU and four other Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC) unions said they may be compelled to down tools to demand better wages.
Trade unions SATAWU, Transport and Allied Workers Union of SA (TAWUSA), Transport and Omnibus Workers’ Union (TOWU), National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA), Tirisano Transport Workers Union (TASWU) want a one-year 12 per cent across the board (ATB) wage increase with a minimum basic wage of R8 000.
Employers, on the other hand, are offering a three-year agreement with 7 per cent ATB for Year 1, 7.25 per cent for year 2 and 7.5 per cent for year 3 and want to keep the current basic minimum wage of R6 070 and only increase it by the agreed ATB.
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The unions are also demanding full-pay for dual drivers as employers are currently enjoying free labour, where the second driver who is not at the wheel at the beginning of a journey is only entitled to a R400 allowance per month.
Employers argue the dual driver is not on duty until he takes the wheel however unions said this is flawed thinking.
“This thinking is obviously flawed because the driver cannot be elsewhere or do anything else but be on the bus from the time the trip commences,” said the unions.
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Unions also want any work done between 6pm and 6am to be deemed night shift as stipulated in the Basic Conditions of Employment. Currently the industry deems night shift to be between 8pm and 3am.
The strike is expected to start on Wednesday, 18 April.
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