Police officers in KZN continue to monitor the ongoing strike action by Transnet workers with officers stationed on Medway Road in Richards Bay and at the Port of Richards Bay’s east gate entrance.

This as the South African Transport and Allied Workers (Satawu) and United National Transport Union (Untu), representing the thousands of striking workers, met with CCMA commissioners today regarding the wage dispute.

Members of #SATAWU are picketing outside Transnet Premises as workers embark on a protected strike today. @eNCA #TransnetStrike @_cosatu @CCMA_SA @Dotransport @deptoflabour #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/Zvs4vaRyk2

— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) October 10, 2022

The strike action began last Thursday with workers affiliated to Untu blocking the two main entrances to the port, while Transnet’s depot in Empangeni was also blocked with burning debris.

While chaos ensued last week, with four people arrested and charged with public violence, roads have been clear today, with striking workers gathered near the port.

Workers affiliated to Satawu downed tools today – mass action which is expected to have a huge impact on port operations.

The unions warned in a joint statement last week that the strike will continue. “As a result of the picketing rules not being agreed to by Transnet management, we are allowed to gather peacefully outside Transnet premises without picketing rules as the parties are still in dispute,” the statement reads.

We call on the management of Transnet to accede to the demands of #SATAWU. As #NEHAWU, we stand in solidarity with SATAWU and the workers of #Transnet, in their struggle for improved salaries and working conditions declares #NEHAWU @SAfmRadio @UpdateAtNoon @NEHAWU @MediaSatawu pic.twitter.com/8Qss7omdaQ

— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) October 10, 2022