The immediate threat of a truck drivers’ strike has diminished after the Road Freight Employers’ Association (RFEA) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) met last Friday. This after the threat became real with wage talks deadlocked. The employers’ final offer was 11% on the minimum wages and 11% across-the-board (ATB). The unions were still set on an ATB of 15% and a total increase in the minima of 37%, as well as a host of other issues – like higher allowances and introduction of new allowances. “But we have still not received any official notice to strike,” Magretia Brown, labour relations officer of the Road Freight Association (RFA), told FTW. “And, during this meeting with the union at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA), Satawu gave an informal undertaking that if they were to give us notice of a strike, it would be at least 10-days’ notice, and not the mandatory 48 hours as per the Labour Relations Act.” Although this was not in writing, Brown said that, in the light of such a statement being made, “we’re of the opinion that the immediate threat of a strike is diminished”. This opinion was also endorsed by something that the union did put in writing. “We received a letter from Satawu after this meeting, which confirmed that the strike for March 15 was OFF until further discussions with members,” Brown added. Satawu’s Tabudi Ramakgolo told FTW that the date for the workers’ strike had not yet been fixed, while the union waited for a decision from the CCMA on a technical matter related to the strike. Delayed it may be, but it’s still on, he added. Meantime, the RFA has been busy establishing a strike contact centre, designed to assist members with strike guidelines. According to Brown, if, or when, the strike is officially called the centre will open – and contact details will be distributed. Updated information will also be carried on the association’s web-site – www.rfa.co.za
