UTATU United Transport and Allied Trade Union

                                                                                                                                 2010-01-08
UTATU, Transnet’s biggest trade union, has lauded Transnet for concluding a R2, 4 billion deal for the construction of 100 new diesel locomotives with GE South African Technologies (GESAT) that ‘puts the South African economy and its workers first.’ 

The deal signed by Transnet gives its manufacturing arm – Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) – a major role in the implementation of the contract. Using a combination of locally manufactured components and kits supplied by GESAT, Transnet Rail Engineering will construct 90 of the 100 locomotives on order.

“This contract is a positive start to 2010 and a giant stride towards Transnet re-capturing the faith and co-operation of its workers,” says UTATU’S General Secretary, Chris de Vos. “Little that emerged from Transnet during 2009 – a year fraught with in-fighting, overtones of corruption and lacklustre attention to employee needs – could give its workers faith in the people managing their fortunes,” says De Vos.

“But this deal is different. It is a clean one that puts the South African economy and its workers first.
“UTATU compliments Minister Hogan and acting Transnet Group CEO, Chris Wells, on their roles in the achievement. We hope that this economy-and-worker-benefiting move is just the first step in a new approach to business. SA’s workers expect nothing less from a State-owned enterprise.

“Transnet and GESAT will have no reason to regret the faith they have shown in TRE,” says De Vos. “Its management and workers are up to the challenge and will – UTATU predicts – produce results that will attract further deals of a similar nature.
“In addition to the immediate benefits for the SA economy, the contract will also advance local manufacturing skills,” De Vos adds. “This is a healthy development that will benefit the country.” 

For more information please contact 

THE GENERAL SECRETARIES Messrs: 

Chris de Vos 082 882 5920 and Steve Harris 082 566 5516