The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) is preparing to go on strike as talks over salary increases have stalled.
Satawu spokesperson Zanele Sabela told FTW Online that “a strike by members of unions in the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry appears unavoidable if employers do not come to the table.”
Sabela added that “Satawu, Motor Transport Workers’ Union (MTWU), Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Tawusa), and Professional Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (PTAWU), have declared a dispute after marathon wage negotiations did not produce an agreement.”
According to a press release issued by Satawu, the four labour unions represent more than 30% of the 105 000 workers in the industry are demanding an accumulative 32% across-the-board wage increase over three years while employers are offering 18%.
Unions also want the minimum wage for cash-in-transit officers to be raised to R20 000 per month to compensate for the danger they face on a daily basis.
In addition, Satawa said a decision had been made to support union calls for the minimum wage for all Code 14 truck drivers to be increased to R15 000 a month.
This follows several protests by truck drivers that saw the N3 and N4 blockaded, and is designed to discourage employers from employing foreign drivers who are willing to work for lower wages.
Sabela stated that she knew of at least one transport outfit, “a Brics company, whose workforce consist of around 90% foreign nationals”.
The council is also demanding a R7 000 minimum wage for general workers.
Sabela said one of the reasons for the talks stalling was the non-availability of officials.
She said negotiations would be pushed as for as possible before any final decision was made on labour action.
