Metrorail strike suspended

Johannesburg - A strike by Metrorail workers was suspended on Monday after a new wage offer was tabled, union officials said.

"There will be no strike this week," said SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) sector co-ordinator Lubabalo Tinzi.

The strike notice issued last week was suspended after the Passenger Rail Agency of SA tabled a new offer on Sunday night.

Tinzi said the employers were now offering an eight percent salary increase.

"This is a move from the seven percent that was originally offered... our final demand was nine percent. The employers have met us half-way by giving eight percent," said Tinzi.

The increase would be back-dated to February 1 this year.

Also, Tinzi said the employers had undertaken to make all current part-time workers full-time by April next year.

The union would use this week to brief its members on the new offer.

"The employer will get a report-back on Monday," said Tinzi.

"Satawu national office bearers and the negotiating team have decided to delay the strike notice only in view of the revised offer tabled and to give members an opportunity to pronounce themselves on it."

A strike would have left an estimated 1.5 million commuters stranded.

Satawu's fellow union, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union, was not immediately available to comment on the new offer.

- Sapa