The United National Transport Union (Untu) has warned that port workers could embark on industrial action that will bring container movements to a halt and cost the economy billions of rands after wage negotiations with Transnet hit a final deadlock this week.
Untu General Secretary Cobus van Vuuren said on Monday night that the union and Transnet had officially reached a deadlock in the 2025/26 salary and wage negotiations after an attempt at conciliation through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) failed.
“Untu engaged with Transnet management at the Transnet Bargaining Council (TBC) in what was meant to be a final attempt to find common ground. However, it became abundantly clear that Transnet entered the process without any real commitment to resolving the impasse,” Van Vuuren said.
“Instead of meaningful engagement, we were met with power plays and political posturing. Untu finds management’s approach to the conciliation process deeply regrettable, especially given the serious socio-economic consequences that industrial action may carry.
“We had hoped for a genuine effort to protect the interests of workers, ensure the long-term stability of the company and minimise the impact on our extremely fragile economy.”
Van Vuuren said the negotiations had reached a definitive conclusion and the deadlock stood.
“The CCMA commissioner will issue a certificate of non-resolution, legally enabling Untu to commence with industrial action. Fortunately, the picketing rules were finalised prior to the start of negotiations, which now allows us to swiftly move forward with plans for industrial action,” he said.
Transnet’s final wage offer, which minority union the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union accepted last month, included a wage increase of 6% in 2025 and 2026 and a 5.5% raise in 5.5%
“Critically, this wage agreement between Satawu and management still excludes a clause preventing mandatory retrenchments, and management continues to refuse to include such a clause to protect job security, despite the ongoing threat of retrenchments under the guise of private-sector participation reforms,” Van Vuuren said.
“The time has come to mobilise. The time has come to negotiate on the streets. Let us not forget, in 2022 Untu-led industrial action brought Transnet’s operations and the economy to a standstill, with losses amounting to over R1 billion per day duration of the strike during 2022.”
“It appears Transnet is once again forcing workers down that path but this time, we are more prepared, more united, and more determined.”
However, Transnet said on Tuesday that it remained committed to wage negotiations and that it had sincerely wanted to find a resolution during the talks.
“Transnet is confident that it negotiated in good faith, and in the interest of the company and employees. The organisation approached the conciliation with a genuine desire to find an acceptable outcome, recognising that job security is essential for both employee well-being and Transnet’s long-term sustainability,” the ports operator said.
Transnet said Satawu’s acceptance of its final wage offer had taken place within the context of “a facilitated and a transparent wage negotiations process”.
“Untu is on record as having rejected the offer and indicated it would not seek additional mandate from its members. We, therefore, welcome Untu’s decision to ballot its members, as this will serve as a true reflection of employees’ wishes.”
Transnet added that it was “regrettable” that as a result of the dispute it was unable to legally extend the increase to the union’s members, including permanent employees, fixed-term employees, employees on temporary disability, and learners.
“Until Untu and Transnet conclude a collective agreement on wages and conditions of employment, Untu members will not receive a wage increase or any increase to medical subsidy, the housing allowance, pension fund contributions and other associated benefits,” Transnet said.
“Any wage agreement concluded with Untu will be effective from the date of signature of the agreement, which means there will be no back pay as a result.”
Transnet said it remained optimistic about concluding the process.
