Bus strike to leave commuters stranded

Bus commuters could be left stranded this Easter due to the nationwide bus strike set to start on Wednesday, reports the Pretoria North Rekord.

Rekord spoke to National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) acting spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi who said the union, along with SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and 16 other trade unions, were supporting the strike.

Hlubi said employers in the bus sector had ignored workers’ demands despite the CCMA attempts to mediate between the two parties.

“The employers have arrogantly rejected our just demands for a living wage, and for improved working conditions,” said Hlubi.

“The employers do not care about workers, or the welfare of commuters and are willing to plunge the industry into a crisis, days before the Easter long weekend, because of their insatiable greed.”

Workers were demanding to be paid overtime on public holidays and Sundays, 1.5 percent according to the law.

Hlubi said a 15 percent salary increase was what workers were seeking.

Hlubi urged those supporting the anti-Zuma march and members of civil society to also stand in solidarity with workers in the cause for a better salary.

“Like typical slave owners, employers treat workers like animals, driving them to work dangerously long hours with no regard for family time or rest and relaxation,” she said.

“Bus drivers are often forced to work 16-hour shifts because of a system where the hours are ‘spread over’.”

She urged bus commuters to find alternative means of transport during the Easter weekend as buses would not be operating.

Bus services affected are the following:

• Cobea which represents: Putco, Mgqibelo, Mayibuye, Buscor and Golden Arrow.
• Sabea which represents: Megabus, Mega Express, Bojanala, Gauteng Coaches, Itereleng, Atamelang, Autopax, Great North Transport, ReaVaya, Phola Coaches and Greyhound.

“The CEOs of these companies have until Tuesday evening to meet with Numsa to resolve the matter and avert the strike,” said Hlubi.

“We also urge the transport ministry to intervene to ensure a speedy resolution, otherwise we have no choice but to take to the streets.”

Gauteng roads and transport spokesperson, Melitah Madiba, could not be reached for comment.

Meko Magida, a spokesperson for SA Bus Employers Association (Sabea) and the Commuter Bus Employers Organisation (Cobeo) said in a statement that employers were committed to “reaching a reasonable and affordable wage settlement”.

Magida said that employers had offered a 7.5 percent increase, improvements to overtime provisions and travel and subsistence allowances.

“The unions have still not moved from the 30 percent wage increase they tabled at the commencement of negotiations,” he said.

“They have not indicated any intention of working towards a settlement.”

Magida said the employers negotiating with the unions were Sabea and Cobeo while the unions were: Satawu, Transport and Allied Workers Union (Tawu), Transport & Omnibus Workers’ Union (Towu) and Numsa.

– Caxton News Service