Numsa, Gautrain wage dispute continues

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) affiliated Gautrain workers has vowed to continue with their wage increment strike.

On Monday, the workers picketed at the Gautrain management (Bombela operating company offices after negotiations deadlocked between Numsa and Gautrain management.

“Numsa has rejected the offer of 4.1% that was tabled by the company. Numsa is demanding an increase that equates to 26%. We have not officially seen the 8% demand that Numsa has been referring to in the media. We believe that an increase of 4.1% is fair given our economic circumstances.”

Numsa has refuted that it requested for a 26% increase and both parties were not able to provide a copy of the proposals made.

Nayager said the company could not meet Numsa’s demands due to having financial difficulties because of Covid-19 outbreak which led to a lockdown that saw the trains not moving for almost two months.

“Not a single Gautrain worker took home a reduced pay and not a single job was lost at Gautrain. This was a principled decision that the company took upfront, in spite of the losses we had incurred and continue to incur. We are calling on Numsa and our workers to consider the offer of 4.1% taking all of these factors into account.”

While the strike takes place, Nayeger said that train services would be available to passengers during the peak periods.

“The morning peak period was between 05:30 and 09:00. The same will apply for the afternoon peak period between 15:00 and 19:00.

“The train service will not be available during the off-peak period, but the bus and midi-bus service is not affected by the strike and will continue to operate as per the standard schedule. We apologise in advance for the inconvenience to our passengers and assure them that we will keep them informed of any changes in this regard.”

Nayager said that the management was willing to return to negotiations to end the wage deadlock.

“But to do that, Numsa must be prepared to consider the counter demands by the company and to negotiate in good faith.”