Strike threat as road freight wage talks deadlock

Indications are that wage talks between unions and the road freight industry will result in strike action. According to Vincent Masoga, acting national media officer for the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), they will return to the negotiating table this week for further talks with the Road Freight Employers’ Association (RFEA) but talk of strike is increasing. “The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) is not budging from a wage increase offer of 7%,” he told FTW. “Satawu, the Motor Transport Workers’ Union (MTWU), the Tawu are not going to accept that. Our minimum wage increase that we will accept is 9%. That is not unreasonable especially in the light of the hard times that workers continue to face.” He said from talks that again deadlocked on August 31, all indications were pointing to the unions having no other choice but to apply measures. Asked what measures were being considered, he said striking. “At this stage we are talking to our members and giving them the feedback from the employer following last week’s negotiations. They are not going to settle for the 7% offered.”