Gautrain employees will embark on a first ever wage strike on July 30.
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) placed a 48-hour notice with Bombela, which is the operator of the Gautrain.
UNTU is demanding a 10 per cent salary increase with other demands that include a housing allowance of R1 600 and a R20 000 incentive bonus for all employees.
Bombela is offering 8.5 per cent across the board and is not willing to pay employees an incentive bonus.
“It is UNTU’s last resort,” said Steve Harris, general secretary of UNTU.
“In accordance with South Africa’s Constitution and Labour legislation, UNTU members at the Gautrain have no alternative than to embark on a protected strike to try and force their employer to agree to their demands,” he said.
A mass meeting held in Midrand on July 23 resulted in UNTU employees voting for strike action.
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According to a press release, the mass meeting was held to obtain a mandate from UNTU members.
This came after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) issued the union with a strike certificate last week after the deadlock in the wage negotiations could not be resolved.
UNTU said its demands are based on the current global economic recession which has a devastating impact on the daily lives of all of its members.
UNTU apologises to commuters who will be badly affected by the strike beforehand.
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