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Johannesburg - No revised shift offer has been made to striking Metrobus drivers in Johannesburg, the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) said on Tuesday.
"There were discussions on Friday and we were more than certain that there will be a settlement soon because what we wanted and what they wanted was not miles apart," said spokesperson Dumisani Langa.
However, negotiations collapsed on Monday when Metrobus changed its mind, he said.
"When we arrived there yesterday, Metrobus completely changed what was on the table, saying they had nothing to offer," said Langa.
Metrobus spokesperson Esther Dreyer was not immediately available for comment.
The talks resumed at 11:30am on Tuesday.
"We are exploring various options to settle this issue but at this stage there is no revised offer," said Langa.
On the old shifts, drivers started at 4:30am, had an hour's tea break, an hour-and-a-half lunch break and finished work at 3pm.
On the new shifts, drivers started at 4:30am, but had an unpaid lunch-break from 9am to 2pm and finished work at 7pm.
"We want the old system back, but the employers are not prepared to go there," said Langa.
"If not, we want workers to be remunerated for the five-hour break or give them the option of choosing what (shifts) they want," said Langa.
The strike by Metrobus drivers entered its fourth week on Monday over issues relating to its shift roster.
In Pretoria last week, over 900 Samwu members were axed after an illegal protest left one person dead.
In Kempton Park on Monday, at least 22 strikers were arrested on charges ranging from public violence to intimidation and assault.
"There were discussions on Friday and we were more than certain that there will be a settlement soon because what we wanted and what they wanted was not miles apart," said spokesperson Dumisani Langa.
However, negotiations collapsed on Monday when Metrobus changed its mind, he said.
"When we arrived there yesterday, Metrobus completely changed what was on the table, saying they had nothing to offer," said Langa.
Metrobus spokesperson Esther Dreyer was not immediately available for comment.
The talks resumed at 11:30am on Tuesday.
"We are exploring various options to settle this issue but at this stage there is no revised offer," said Langa.
On the old shifts, drivers started at 4:30am, had an hour's tea break, an hour-and-a-half lunch break and finished work at 3pm.
On the new shifts, drivers started at 4:30am, but had an unpaid lunch-break from 9am to 2pm and finished work at 7pm.
"We want the old system back, but the employers are not prepared to go there," said Langa.
"If not, we want workers to be remunerated for the five-hour break or give them the option of choosing what (shifts) they want," said Langa.
The strike by Metrobus drivers entered its fourth week on Monday over issues relating to its shift roster.
In Pretoria last week, over 900 Samwu members were axed after an illegal protest left one person dead.
In Kempton Park on Monday, at least 22 strikers were arrested on charges ranging from public violence to intimidation and assault.
