Share

Gautrain announces when full service will return

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has agreed to a wage deal with the Gautrain operator, which will end the two-week long strike.

Officials told a mass meeting at the Gautrain Midrand Depot on Monday that they had agreed to an 8% wage hike across the board, following marathon meetings over the weekend.

The agreement will also see all employees who were earning below R8 500 a month, such as conductors, receive the figure as a basic salary.

All Gautrain workers involved in the negotiations will also receive a R900 housing allowance, a R5 000 incentive bonus in December and another bonus linked to their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in July 2019.

The rapid rail service will pay half of the employees' medical aid costs.

General secretary of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) Dennis George told Fin24 some workers had already reported for shift duty on Monday morning.

Fedusa, which is UNTU's mother body was in attendance at the mass meeting and singing ceremony at the Gautrain Midrand Depot on Monday.

The Gautrain had previously offered 8.6% wage hikes while the union was demanding 10% basic salary increases and housing and transport allowances.

George said the 8% salary increase the union agreed to should be looked at as a "package deal", together with the housing allowance and bonuses.

Meanwhile, Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager said the full Gautrain services will begin on Wednesday once the operational schedule has been updated.

In the meantime, the reduced service will continue with some extended operations, which will be communicated later on Monday.
All passengers who have been unable to make use of their weekly or monthly train passes during the strike, will be compensated by the Gautrain and no admin fee will be charged.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi welcomed the end of the strike and joined the Gautrain operator in thanking commuters for their understanding.

The Gautrain strike has frustrated thousands of commuters and led to increased traffic on Gauteng's major highways. During the strike there was only limited rapid railway service during peak periods.

Fin24 reported on Sunday that Fedusa said it was on track to get a mandate from its members if it got a fresh offer from the Bombela Operating Company in the hope of ending the industrial action.

UNTU was previously demanding a 10% basic wage increase. The union also revised its R20 000 incentive bonus demand downward to R15 000. 

Dispute resolution body the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) intervened in the talks last week to try and broker a deal.

* This story has been updated.

* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER

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
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.45
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
+0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
904.58
+0.9%
Palladium
1,012.82
+1.1%
Gold
2,219.17
+1.1%
Silver
24.82
+0.7%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
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