Vodacom workers join Transnet protest

Thousands of striking Transnet workers were supported by Vodacom employees belonging to the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) as they marched through the streets of Johannesburg.

Striking Transnet employees earlier rallied in support of the Vodacom staff at premier Nomvula Mokonyane's office where they aired their grievances on labour broking.

As the memorandum for Transnet was read out by union leaders, the crowd blew vuvuzelas and whistles and paraded a coffin made out of cardboard bearing the name of Transnet human resources head Pradeep Maharaj.

"If you can give ten percent they won't be happy, but if you can give up to 20%, they [the workers] will be overjoyed," a union leader said over a loud speaker.

The SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) and the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) were demanding a 15% wage increase.

"Transnet management is being arrogant... we want our demands to be met and nothing else. He (Maharaj) must also tender his resignation and go to hell."

A Transnet employee earlier told Sapa there was racial tension between Indian employees and other racial groups. Thousands of protesters, waving placards aimed at Maharaj, demanded to see management.

Some read. "We are going to dip you into very hot atchar", and "Maharaj, this is not samoosa-land, f-off back to India... this is not a spice shop."

Transnet initially offered an eight percent wage increase which it later upped to 11%.