EFFORTS to avert the looming bus strike have failed. This after tensions mounted on several roadways in the Durban area with bus drivers completely blocking the flow of traffic on Monday.
Metero Police have confirmed that Durban Transport bus operators started the strike on the N2 northbound, and later blocked the N3 near the Pavillion Shopping Centre, causing massive traffic delays.
Congestion was also reported along the Umgeni and EB Cloete interchanges as well is within the Berea area.
Delays are still being reported along the N3 westbound as well as the N2 southbound, as far along as the M7, and northbound, before the Spaghetti Junction.
Last week the bus operators threatened to ‘down tools’ after Tansnat failed to pay the bus operators their December salaries and bonuses.
In a statement the city confirmed that it was in the process of sorting out an agreement with the bus operators.
According to the statement the city hoped to pay the employees (excluding management) directly and to eventually recover the funds from Tansnat.
The employees were asked to complete an employment confirmation form and to submit copies of their Identity Documents as well as bank statements for ‘verification’.
Meanwhile the city mayor, James Nxumalo, has condemned the strike and urged the bus operators to address their concerns and frustrations through the appropriate channels.
“We are trying to avoid a situation whereby the salaries are paid into wrong bank accounts. We have also put in place a set of conditions for the money to be paid back to the city by Tansnat,” said Nxumalo.
“We appeal to bus drivers to be calm while we address the issue,” he added.
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