Share

Back to work for bus drivers

Cape Town - It is back to work on Tuesday for thousands of bus drivers who have been striking for almost a month for a double-digit salary increase.

On Monday a protracted strike came to end when striking bus drivers affiliated to the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union agreed to return to work after reaching a salary deal with employers.

They initially persisted in their demand for a double-digit wage increase of 18% and then brought it down to 13% before accepting the new deal of 9.5%.

The deal will take effect from April 1.

A further 0.5% would kick in later said Klaus Heimes of the SA Bus Employers' Association (Sabea).

"In effect, the wage agreement is a 10% increase from October, to make it more affordable for the employers," he said.

Lift the lockout

General Secretary of the South African Roads Bargaining Council, Gary Wilson told the SABC that employers have been called on to lift the lockout so that the workers can return to work.

The Transport and Omnibus Workers' Union said Golden Arrow buses will be back in operation and apologised over the inconvenience caused by the strike.

Bus drivers parked their buses on April 19, leaving thousands of commuters stranded across the country.

They later intensified the protest action, when they took to the streets picketing in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions expressed support for striking bus drivers and their wage demands, saying drivers needed a better living wage.

Commuters turn to loan sharks

Strike-hit commuters who have been inconvenienced by the protracted nationwide bus strike can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Commuters affected by the strike have resorted to using loan sharks to pay for their transport, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said earlier this month.

"The workers will feel the effects of the strike long after it has ended," chamber member Michael Bagraim said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Bombela Concession Company's Gautrain bus service, Mega Express, reached a deal on Thursday night with majority union the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) for a 9% increase, effective from April 1.

Utatu deputy general secretary Pieter Greyling said at the time workers' transport allowance was also increased from R35 a day to R45, effective from Friday.

Strike season

However, analysts predict that South Africa's strike season is just getting started.

With the country experiencing tough economic times and unions emboldened by hefty wage increases granted last year to end strikes, analysts predict difficult months ahead.

Crispen Chinguno, a sociology fellow at the University of Witwatersrand who is exploring the dynamics of strike violence, told AFP earlier this month: "It's going to be very tough, perhaps one of the very toughest collective bargaining (rounds), since the attainment of democracy."

 - Fin24 with agencies



We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.13
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.64
-0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.4%
Platinum
901.05
-0.2%
Palladium
999.00
-0.7%
Gold
2,149.46
-0.5%
Silver
24.83
-0.8%
Brent-ruolie
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,951
-0.5%
All Share
72,164
-0.4%
Resource 10
53,288
-0.1%
Industrial 25
99,497
-1.0%
Financial 15
16,657
+0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders