Johannesburg - Unions on
Friday said they are divided on whether to accept an offer from Transnet or to
go ahead with a potentially massive strike.
"We will work through
the weekend to get a mandate for the offer that is on the table," said United
Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) general secretary Chris de Vos.
"I've got a smile on
my face, it proves we are very positive."
De Vos's sentiments were
not shared by fellow union, the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union
(Satawu).
"We are not going to
recommend acceptance of the offer," said Satawu policy research officer
Jane Barret.
Utatu and Satawu have
threatened to strike from Monday if Transnet did not agree to increase its
salary offer of eight percent.
Unions were demanding an
increase of 15%.
Other issues included the
use of temporary workers, maternity leave, medical aid contributions and
housing allowances.
Trade unions had negotiated
with Transnet late into Thursday night and De Vos said he believed his members
may accept the latest offer.
Describing the situation as
"sensitive", De Vos would not elaborate on Transnet's most recent
offer
At a media briefing on
Thursday, Transnet human resources executive Pradeep Maharaj said management's
offer was now in "double-digits" but would require
"trade-offs".
Barret confirmed that while
Transnet had increased its wage offer, it had not satisfied Satawu's concerns
about temporary workers and the other issues.
"The have increased
the [wage] offer but have taken away other elements of the offer," she
said.
"It doesn't make
enough of a difference.
Barret said Satawu would
take the offer back to its members for feedback but said it would be
"surprising" if it was accepted.
"We anticipate the
strike will continue on Monday," she said.
This raises the prospect of
Satawu embarking on the strike without the support of Utatu.
"We would be very
disappointed... it would be a great pity if we couldn't go out together,"
said Barret.
- Sapa