THE strike by Durban Transport bus operators is expected to end soon, after the municipality began the process of paying the outstanding December salaries and bonuses.
This is according to a statement released by officials yesterday. Outstanding employees’ wages will be paid as soon as ‘the verification process has been finalised’, the statement read.
On Monday tensions mounted on several roadways in the Durban area with bus drivers completely blocking the flow of traffic. Currently, many people who are dependent on the bus services for transport have had to rely on other forms of public transport or make alternative arrangements.
Metro Police confirmed that the strike started on the N2 northbound, and later expanded to the N3 near the Pavillion Shopping Centre, causing massive traffic delays.
Congestion was also reported along the Umgeni and EB Cloete interchanges as well as within the Berea area.
Last week the bus operators threatened to ‘down tools’ after Tansnat failed to pay them their December salaries and bonuses.
In a statement the city confirmed on Monday 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’.
According to mayor, James Nxumalo, the City is ‘concerned’ about the negative impact Tansnat’s failure to pay the salaries and bonuses had on the employees, as well as the commuters who rely on the bus service.
“Some employees have received their salaries and bonuses and we are confident that the bus service will resume as soon as the verification process is finalised and payment delays have been resolved fully,” Nxumalo said.
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