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Bus strike set to intensify

Johannesburg - Bus drivers for luxury liners will join the nationwide bus drivers' strike, their union said on Monday.

The Transport Omnibus Workers' Union (Towu) said passengers using Springbok Atlas Luxury Charters and the Unitrans Group (GreyHound, Megic Bus, Mega Coach, and Citi Liner) would have no bus services from Wednesday.

"Towu had an urgent shop stewards' national council today, and a decision has been taken to compel the employers to agree to the workers' demands that resulted in a deadlock at the bargaining council," said spokesperson Malinge Plaatjie.

The Commuter Bus Employers Organisation (CBEO) said the CCMA had invited employers and the unions to reconvene talks.

Spokesperson Barry Gie said the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration had asked all involved to meet in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"We're hoping to get everyone involved to Joburg as soon as possible to begin the talks, but logistically it might not happen," said Gie.

Piotrans drivers, who operate Johannesburg's Rea Vaya buses, have joined the nationwide strike that started last week.

Their drivers were demanding their salaries match the salaries of dispatchers.

The operator's spokesperson, Dumisani Mntambo, said Rea Vaya dispatchers got R1 500 more than drivers.

"Dispatchers do a lot more work than drivers do. It is accepted in our industry that they earn more than drivers," said Mntambo.

Gautrain buses were still not in operation, its operating company said.

"The suspension of the bus services has placed enormous strain on our parking facilities at all stations," said Bombela Concession Company spokesperson Kelebogile Machaka.

The SA National Taxi Association (Santaco) said earlier in the day that there was a lot more activity than usual at the country's taxi ranks.

"We have ensured that taxis are not parked at the ranks. They must be in constant operation, so that the ranks are not overflowing with stranded commuters," said Santaco secretary general Philip Taaibosch.

Cape buses run despite strike action

There was little disruption to bus operations due to striking drivers, despite media reports stating otherwise, the City of Cape Town said on Monday.

Earlier in the day Independent Online (IOL) reported that thousands of commuters had to make alternative plans to get to work as bus drivers went on strike in the city and other centres.

According to the article, the worst-affected service in Cape Town was Golden Arrow.

Company spokesperson John Dammert told IOL the strike notice by unions representing the company’s drivers had caused the company to effect a "lockout" of its employees.

The city said the MyCiTi bus service continued to run on a slightly reduced schedule.

The Table View feeder and trunk services were not affected, with buses departing the station every 10 minutes. Queues at stations were cleared quickly. In the inner city buses departed every 20 minutes, according to the off-peak travel schedule.

The Transport and Omnibus Workers Union, which represents most Golden Arrow employees, announced it would join the strike on Wednesday.

City councillor Brett Herron said users of the bus service could take trains.

"The use of Golden Arrow clip cards on the Metrorail trains is reported to be working well," he said in the statement.

No reports of intimidation at any of the city's depots, nor threats of violence were recorded, said Herron.


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