The United National Transport Union (Untu) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) submitted a consolidated wage demand to Transnet yesterday (Monday).
The transport unions have asked for a three-year multi-term agreement which includes a 12% salary increase, an increased contribution to employees’ medical aid and housing allowances as well as no forced retrenchments during this period.
“This is a very realistic demand given the current struggling economic climate South Africans are finding themselves in, with prices on all goods soaring daily,” said Untu general secretary, Steve Harris.
Harris stated that their demands were also justifiable as Transnet had recently announced an increase in revenue of 13.8%.
Untu and Satawu have insisted that their demands be implemented from April 1, 2018, and that the agreement be signed before the end of the year to ensure that employees don’t have to wait for back pay.
According to a statement released by Untu, Transnet has said that it will consider the demand by weighing it against settlement patterns over the past two years, cost of living and the sustainability of the wage demand.
Transnet spokesperson, Molatwane Likhete, confirmed to FTW Online that it had begun wage negotiations with both unions but refused to comment further as the state entity was looking to "reach a negotiated settlement within the bargaining arena rather than in the press".
Untu media and liaison officer, Sonja Carstens, noted that negotiations between the unions and Transnet would continue on November 27.
