Driving trouble: 48 absconding Tshwane bus drivers to face the music
Commuters in Olivenhoutbosch, West Park 7, and The Orchards were left stranded, with certain trips delayed after the drivers did not show up for work.
Forty-eight drivers who failed to report for duty resulting in partial interruption of bus operations will face the consequences.
This as Tshwane bus services (TBS) commuters were left stranded around the city on August 2.
The metro announced in a statement that the drivers will face additional charges for their unauthorised absence following their recent involvement in an illegal and unprotected strike.
Metro spokesman Lindela Mashigo said the drivers were supposed to appear before a disciplinary committee on Friday, August 2, however they did not show up for work despite being informed by their trade union representative that the hearing had been rescheduled to August 19.
“The employees can’t argue that they were unaware of the postponement of the hearing because they voluntarily chose to be represented by a trade union representative, whom the city communicates with regarding issues related to the disciplinary hearing,” he said.
The city has apologised to its loyal TBS commuters about the Friday morning shifts which could not be fulfilled due to abscondment by the drivers.
Mashigo said the employees will face repercussions for their absence from work, which caused a disruption to bus operations.
He said their actions have forced the city to prefer additional charges against them as they were not authorised to be off duty.
Mashigo added that the city would enforce the no-work, no-pay principle.
“The drivers’ absence was felt in areas such as Olivenhoutbosch, West Park 7, and The Orchards, with some trips delayed.”
In May, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) bus drivers abandoned their shifts without notifying management nor giving specific reasons for their actions.
The employees were reported to have suddenly demanded to see the city manager before downing their tools.
At the time, the city had not received any formal grievance from the protesting employees.
However, employees affiliated with labour movement Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) honoured some of their shifts to ensure commuters weren’t severely impacted.
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