Late salaries at the centre of Rea Vaya crisis
Bus services to remain suspended until the City and operators resolve payment issues.
Rea Vaya commuters continue to bear the brunt of the unsavoury internal disputes between the City and bus operating companies Pio Trans and Litsamaiso.
Bus operations were halted again on Monday in the latest dispute between bus operators and the City after drivers did not pitch for work over delayed salaries for the month of October.
It is understood that salaries were expected to be paid by October 25 however this did not happen when the City allegedly did not pay bus operating companies, Pio Trans and Litsamaiso.
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The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) alleges that ongoing challenges of late/delayed salary payments have been at the centre of contestation since the beginning of the year.
The trade union said the City has continuously failed to honour its contractual obligations, therefore its members cannot be held responsible for not showing up to work.
“Workers cannot be expected to show up for work when they have not been paid their salaries. How can they feed their families, pay for petrol and public transportation when they have not been paid? We condemn the City of Joburg for failing workers, and for failing the public because of their gross incompetence!
“We demand to know when they will pay the bus operating company so that workers can receive their salaries,” The union said in a statement.
The union demanded to know when the bus operating companies will be paid and further issued a stern warning against threatening of workers with disciplinary action.
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“They [workers] did not create this crisis. They are victims and they are not slaves. This is not a volunteer programme, this is paid employment.
“If the officials at COJ do not understand this basic principle, they have no business leading the city. They must step aside and let those who are capable of serving the public efficiently, do so.”
The City of Joburg responded to media queries admitting to a delay in payment processes.
It said bus operations would remain suspended until further notice.
“There has been a delay in payment process. The City has since paid Pio Trans by yesterday, October 31. Services were expected to resume today Wednesday, November 1. The City regrets the disruption of services and continues to engage with the bus operating companies for the services to return to normal,” reads a statement from the City.
