Johannesburg - Striking Rea Vaya bus drivers have until 10am
on Wednesday to accept a final wage offer, the Piotrans bus operating company
said.
"We trust that the drivers and their representatives
would... consider the needs of approximately 40 000 commuters at the centre of
any decision they make," Piotrans spokesperson Eric Motshwane said in a
statement on Tuesday.
Mediation deadlocked between the company and bus drivers on
Tuesday afternoon. The strike began on August 1.
Rea Vaya bus drivers want their salaries tripled from R5 000
to R15 000. They also insist on medical aid and a pension fund.
The final offer from Piotrans included a 15% wage increase
on the basic salary and the immediate implementation of a provident fund, said
Motshwane.
The company would also contribute 50% towards the drivers'
medical aid.
A performance bonus would be introduced and a guaranteed
13th cheque at the end of each year, he said.
The total monthly value of the package per driver would be
R8 473 and there would be a once-off payment of R1 000 on return to work.
"We would like to make a final appeal to existing
employees to accept this offer," said Motshwane.
The SA Municipal Workers' Union could not be immediately reached for comment.