Bus commuters in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas have been advised to make alternative transport arrangements as the Satawu bus drivers’ strike continues.
The transport workers’ union, Satawu, originally called the strike for on 20 and 21 September resulting in thousands of commuters in Hammanskraal and the surrounding areas being left stranded without a means to get to work or home.
Satuwu spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, told Rekord on Tuesday the strike would continue until the union’s core grievances were resolved.
Among those core grievances were better working conditions and good management of bus company NWS.
Sabela said drivers said NWS deducted money for medical aid and provident fund from their salaries monthly but failed to hand over those deductions to underwriters.
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“Recently, one of their [bus drivers] colleagues was taken to private hospital due to ill-health. He had to be moved to a public hospital where he later died because the private hospital revealed that there was nothing in his medical aid [fund] although the bus company was continuing to deduct his money for medical aid,” said Sabela.
She said for now, the bus strike would continue indefinitely, and urged commuters to make alternative arrangements.
“There is, however, a meeting today with the parties involved to try and find a way forward, but we remain resolute that the strike will continue until the core issues are resolved,” she said.
Last week, striking workers prevented about 700 buses from operating in and around four provinces.
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