Transnet workers demand increase

UNITED National Transport Union (Untu) members employed by Transnet embarked on industrial action yesterday in demand of a 13.5% increase and a R2,500 medical aid and R2,500 housing allowance.

The road leading into Transnet in Kimberley was barricaded with a burning tyre and rocks while entry into the premises has been obstructed.

Untu provincial executive council member Lincoln Visagie said they rejected the employer’s offer of 3%.

“We don’t buy the argument that there is no money in the fiscus to pay for increases. Negotiations started in April and a non-resolution was taken on August 25 where 29 percent of our members rejected the employer’s offer. The employer increased their offer from 1.5% to 3% on October 5.”

An Untu trade union representative in the Northern Cape, Quinton Kortman, said that road and freight rail services would be brought to a standstill.

“There are only a few vehicles in operation. All the mining trucks carrying manganese cannot operate. Members will remain on industrial action until our demands are met.”

Transnet said that the open-ended strike will paralyse services and disrupt exports.

Transnet was already operating below capacity because of a shortage of locomotives, poor maintenance, vandalism and theft of its infrastructure, which has cost miners billions of rand in potential revenue because of delays to mineral shipments.

"This (the strike) will have a profound impact on economic activity across all sectors, and (Transnet) urges workers to consider the long-term consequences of the strike on themselves, their colleagues, their families and the South African economy as a whole," Transnet said in a statement.

Transnet said the strike was illegal and that unions had not followed rules set down in the labour law.

It also questioned the balloting processes used to approve the strike action and said no picketing rules had been agreed by the company and striking workers, as required by the labour law.

Untu and Satawu rejected Transnet's charges, saying they had given the required 48-hour strike notice and engaged Transnet on picketing rules.

Untu general secretary Cobus van Vuuren accused Transnet of seeking to intimidate workers by declaring the strike illegal.

"This is just another attempt by Transnet to deploy scare tactics to prevent the strike and to delay the process," he said.

All parties have agreed to mediation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).