Tshwane bus drivers defy metro’s call to return to work for second day
The Tshwane metro has suffered a blow in their bus services as it has remained suspended for the second day following an illegal strike by employees.
Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the illegal strike was undertaken mainly by bus drivers.
Bokaba said the strike started on Wednesday morning and left thousands of commuters stranded.
The employees abandoned their duties without notifying management nor giving specific reasons for their actions.
“The metro deployed top management to TBS headquarters on Wednesday morning to engage with the employees involved in the strike. This upon receipt of a report about the disruption of services with a view to ascertaining the cause of the strike and to resolve the matter, but the talks did not yield any positive results.
“Subsequently, a notice to return to work (ultimatum) was issued to those involved, instructing them to resume their duties with immediate effect or face the consequences of their actions.”
He said the notice period would expire on Thursday at 16:00.
“Without the employees having returned to work, internal disciplinary proceedings will be instituted against them.”
Bokaba said the TBS management had scheduled another meeting with the unions on Thursday in a bid to resolve the matter amicably.
“The metro will immediately implement the ‘no work, no pay rule against the striking employees. It is believed that the employees downed tools in solidarity with a colleague who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for a traffic infringement.”
Bokaba has apologised for the inconvenience experienced by commuters.
“The metro would like to apologise profusely to the TBS customers for the inconvenience caused due to the illegal strike and is doing everything in its power to normalise the situation.”
Bokaba said commuters should expect the bus service to remain suspended until disputes were resolved.
“Customers are urged to make alternative travel arrangements.”
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