UPDATE: 158 Reya Vaya drivers fired
JOBURG - The Reya Vaya bus operating company, Piotrans dismissed 158 of its drivers who went on strike on 2 February.
Piotrans spokesperson Dumisani Mntambo said the majority of the striking drivers failed to appear before a disciplinary hearing.
Mntambo said, “The company had made reasonable efforts to ensure that the notice to attend the hearing had been delivered to the employees, and further made means to ensure that the relevant trade union was notified of the matter at hand.
“Proceedings went ahead in absentia and a total of 158 drivers were found guilty of serious misconduct.”
The drivers were charged for failing and/or refusing to drive the route that was issued to them, and failing and/or refusing to park the buses in the prescribed authorised area at the end of their route.
“This is in contravention of the company’s policies, rules and procedures and municipal laws. They conspired amongst themselves to bring the company buses to a halt,” Mntambo said.
He added that the dismissed workers have been notified of their rights to appeal against the sanction imposed against them. The drivers have also been advised that they may refer the dispute to the relevant bargaining council.
Mntambo said the recruitment processes would commence on 16 February, and that a proposal was being developed for approval by the City of Johannesburg regarding the resumption of services. He appealed to commuters s to bear with them as they restored normality to operations.
Read our previous stories,
UPDATE: BRT buses still not operational
UPDATE: Striking bus drivers face DC
City council apologises for Rea Vaya strike
Rea Vaya drivers on illegal strike
