The Revolutionary Transport Union of South Africa (Retusa) announced today that it would once again embark on strike action against Transnet from 11-13 July.
Retusa general secretary, Joseph Dube, told FTW Online that there were a number of issues with the state transport company that had led to the labour union’s decision but that the main issue was Transnet’s “consistent refusal to recognise the union”.
“Retusa has around 4 500 members working within Transnet who operate mainly within the port terminals, at Transnet Engineering and Transnet Pipelines,” he said. “However, Transnet continues to not only ignore us, which means we are not afforded the rights of a labour union, but also continues to carry out unfair labour practices on our members.”
Dube noted that many of the transport union’s members had been harassed, victimised and charged for extremely minor things disproportionately. He said that some members had been given up to 12-month warnings for minor infractions.
According to Dube, Transnet was only supporting the larger trade unions, more specifically, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union and the United National Transport Union.
Additional concerns that led the union to down tools included Retusa’s objections to Transnet's outsourcing of stevedoring work, outsourcing of cleaning and security services, Transnet’s refusal to reinstate 41 workers who were arbitrarily dismissed, and wasteful expenditure.
The transport union embarked on mass action in Bayhead, Durban in April this year.
