Workshops will tackle contentious issues Leonard Neill THE SOUTH African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) threat of possible strike action against Spoornet as a result of its recent tariff increases has been put on hold following meetings between the two parties during the past week. Instead both have agreed to attend workshops, which will also involve two other trade unions, and which will be held during May, when the issue will come under scrutiny. The other parties involved in the workshops will be the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions (Utatu) and Selstaff, Spoornet's salaried staff union. "Basically, Spoornet gave us an explanation which suggested they have not really diverted from our original agreement with them, and that they were endeavouring to assist the poorer sector of the community with such moves as their reduced maize tariffs," says Satawu policy research officer Jane Barrett. "At the workshops we will discuss to what extent the rates they have increased are in line with the business model of their restructuring plan. "We will set about revisiting the rates issue as a whole, and decide if there has been a proper implementation of the agreement. "The next few weeks will decide, therefore, if the situation has been satisfactory to the point where no further action on our part is necessary. Spoornet has shown us that their recent difficulties with the Department of Public Enterprises, which had been seen as a serious stumbling block to negotiations, have been overcome, which does ease the entire situation. "After the completion of the workshops, the unions will decide on what the future holds for us all."
