Transnet strike gets under way

Johannesburg - The strike by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) members at transport utility commenced this morning.

Workers employed in all South Africa's commercial ports, the national rail network, the rail engineering operations, as well as the national pipeline will be involved.

The strike does not include Metrorail workers, as Metrorail is a separate company with a separate negotiating process.

There is a dispute in that company but this is at a different legal stage, and there will be no strike on Monday or any day this week in that company. Commuters will therefore not be affected by the Transnet strike, Satawu said in a statement.

The movement of goods by rail, the movement of fuel from the refineries in Durban to Gauteng, and the movement of goods in and out of the ports will be affected.

Satawu said the dispute is not just about money, it is also about two important and related principles. "It is about decent work and about closing the gap between the rich and the poor."

Satawu has demanded that the more than 5 000 workers who are currently employed by Transnet on an apartheid-style annual contract basis should be employed on a permanent basis.

"We have also demanded that the formula for annual bonuses be negotiated. This is so that we can participate in the process of ending the practice of a disproportionate allocation of pay and bonuses going to senior managers.

"We believe that Transnet, as a state-owned enterprise, has an obligation to lead the way in implementing ANC policies on decent work and poverty alleviation, as adopted at the Polokwane conference," it said.

Meanwhile, Transnet acting CEO Chris Wells said in a statement that on Thursday May 6, Transnet tabled a revised wage settlement package, the main element of which includes an 11% increase on pensionable earnings.

Utatu, one of the two recognised unions, has indicated that it will not strike on Monday and has undertaken to consult the union's membership on the matter.

However, Satawu, the other recognised trade union at Transnet, unilaterally rejected the offer without consulting its membership and has decided to strike on Monday. Satawu intends to consult its members on the offer during the strike.

"After months of negotiations, we believe the final decision on accepting this offer is now in the hands of Transnet workers," Wells said.

Satawu represents 39% of workers in the bargaining unit, while Utatu represents 45%.

"Accordingly, we expect the impact of a Satawu strike to be less than expected. The company's command centres throughout the country are geared to move priority commodities to ensure that the economy runs with minimal disruptions," he said.

"However, we are particularly concerned about the impact of a divided labour movement, and its ability to ensure discipline during a strike. The company is working with the South African Police Force to ensure the safety of workers, especially those who choose to exercise their right to work, as well as its assets during the
strike," he said.

"Transnet has demonstrated its commitment to offering more than fair wages. Our substantially higher than inflation offer is designed to incentivise efficiency and productivity improvements and promote the well-being of our 54 000-strong workforce.

"Transnet will do all it takes to return to normal operations and serve the South African economy. We apologise to the public and our customers for any inconvenience the strike may cause," Wells concluded.

 - I-Net Bridge