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Bus strike from Monday
About 15,000 bus company workers across South Africa are expected to go on strike from Monday, after pay talks with the SA Bus Employers' Association (Sabea) deadlocked this week, a union involved in the negotiations said on Friday.
"There will be no buses on routes as of Monday morning. The 48-hour strike notice is effective from a minute past midnight tonight," said Transport and Omnibus Workers' Union (Towu) general secretary Gary Wilson.
"We have had no contact with Sabea since talks ended this week, but our door is always open. This strike will go on for as long as it takes to meet our demands."
The three unions involved in the talks are Towu, the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), and the Transport and Allied Workers' Union of South Africa (Tawusa).
Sabea represents 31 bus companies, including Putco in Gauteng, Mayibuye Algoa in the Eastern Cape, North West Star, Great North Transport, Remant Alton in Durban, IBL, Maluti, Gauteng Coaches, Ipeleng, and Mgqibelo.
The unions, which claim to represent 15,000 workers, are demanding a pay hike of 15 percent, while Sabea is offering 6.5 percent.
Sabea vice president Meshack Ramela said a mediator in the talks had proposed a pay hike of 8.5 percent, which the unions rejected. A second mediator intervened and an offer of 9.5 percent was proposed.
Ramela said that while the employers agreed to the offer, the unions rejected it.
"Details of picketing and other matters regarding the strike will be revealed at a later stage," said Wilson.
Sapa
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