Satawu: Bus commuters could be stranded if employers don't come to the party

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Satawu: Bus commuters could be stranded if employers don't come to the party

16 April 2018 2:33 PM

The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) spokesperson, Zanele Sabela says negotiations with employer associations have deadlocked.

The unions are asking for an increase of 12% while the employers are offering 7%. She says workers want to sign one-year contracts but employers want these to be three years.

Now unions involved in the negotiations have warned of a possible bus strike this week.

We are also looking at having a minimum wage of R8000 but they want to keep it where it is at R6070.
— Zanele Sabela, Satawu spokesperson

There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, so we will know after the meeting whether the strike goes on or not.
— Zanele Sabela, Satawu spokesperson

Satawu also raises issues of dual drivers on long-distance buses where only one driver is paid and the other gets R400 allowance. The second driver only gets paid when the primary driver tires and needs a relief driver to take over.

They are also fighting against the R595 allowance given to drivers when they spend night's away, arguing that there are no establishments that charge that amount where a driver can sleep comfortably and be able to drive safely the following day.

To hear the rest of the interview with Satawu, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele