Durban - Operations at Durban harbour came to a complete standstill on Friday as the Transnet strike entered a fifth day, said the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu).
Satawu president Ezrom Mabyana was disappointed that what he described as Transnet’s arrogance had brought harbour operations to a halt.
Satawu members at Transnet downed tools on Monday demanding a 15% salary increase.
Transnet initially offered eight percent. It later increased its offer to 11%, but wanted concessions on maternity leave, temporary workers and retrenchments.
On Wednesday, the strike was joined by members of the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu). It also has the support of the SA Railway and Harbour Workers' Union (Sarhwu).
Mabyana said the strike had also affected the medical and food industries, including supplies to other African countries.
He said wage negotiations would have to be concluded soon to avoid repercussions for the World Cup.
"We will be very disappointed if they do not respect the World Cup."
Wage talks between Transnet and the unions, facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, were scheduled to start at 4pm in Johannesburg on Friday.
Mabyana hoped these negotiations would resolve the impasse, but threatened a solidarity strike by Satawu members not employed by Transnet should they fail. "We will ask solidarity from our members who are cleaners, security guards and drivers of trucks and buses to join the strike."
Transnet KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela would not comment on the situation at Durban harbour.
In a statement on Friday, Transnet acting group chief executive Chris Wells said strikers had caused R20m in damages to Transnet equipment and had "put the lives of innocent people in danger".
The strike has been marred by sporadic violence, intimidation and sabotage, which saw a train transporting petrol and diesel derailing outside Durban earlier this week.
Wells reminded striking workers that the "no work, no pay" principle applied.
"Transnet remains committed to an 11 percent increase on pensionable earnings. We invite all our colleagues to return to work peacefully so that they can earn a decent wage in May and we can get South Africa’s economy moving."
He thanked the "loyal workers" who continued to report for work, saying Transnet was still able to move Fifa Soccer World Cup commodities.
"In our container terminals, we showed higher than normal levels of efficiency and productivity."
- Sapa