The Ports of Durban and Richards Bay are open and fully operational despite the ongoing strike action by Transnet employees across the country.
Transnet National Ports authority managing executive, Moshe Motlohi, told port users in a circular on Thursday that it had managed to clear the entrances to both ports after striking workers had staged protests that blocked access earlier in the day.
This comes after Transnet earlier declared a force majeure due to the industrual action.
“The leadership team of the Eastern Region Ports (KZN) is aware that some employees had embarked on illegal strike action at the entrances of the KZN ports, following non-resolution in the ongoing Transnet SOC Ltd. wage negotiations,” Motlohi said.
“Presently, both port entrances have been cleared and traffic is free flowing. We are pleased to inform you that during the earlier illegal strike action, the ports did not experience any cargo or shipping movement disruptions,” he said.
“The ports remain fully operational, and business continuity management plans have been invoked to closely monitor the impact on port operations,” Motlohi added.
Transnet workers downed tools on Thursday over a protracted wage dispute after the parastatal offered them a 1,5% salary increase, back pay and a one off payment of R10 000 if they accepted the propsal.
The United Transport Union (UNTU), which represents about 33 000 of Transnet’s 35 000 workers said the employer had revised the offer to a pay hike on a sliding scale of between 3% and 4% during marathon negotions to avoid a strike on Wednesday night. However, UNTU general secretary Cobus Van Vuuren said the adjusted offer did not match the workers’ manadate. He said the CCMA had already issued a a certificate of non-resolution for workers to embark on legal, protected strike action.
Road Freight Association CEO, Gavin Kelly, earlier condemned the violent protests after workers burned rubble and poured sand and cement onto roads leading to the ports of Richards Bay and Durban. He urged workers not to destroy South Africa’s international trade reputation.
