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- Transnet’s workers feel cheated.
- They are determined that their eroded salaries must be brought back to market related levels.
- Transnet employees no longer believe that Transnet has their interests at heart.
- Nor do they trust those managing them.
- Unless there is an eleventh hour change of heart by Transnet, a massive railways and harbours strike is unavoidable.
These are the views of the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions (Utatu), Transnet’s largest trade union and the union that is home to most of Transnet’s train drivers and artisans.
Utatu also speaks for Transnet’s Sarwhu members who is in alliance with Utatu.
Utatu fully endorses the workers’ opposition to Transnet’s employment strategies and pay offer as set out by our dispute partner, Satawu,” says Utatu general secretary, Chris de Vos.
The respective member mandates received today (April 21) by Utatu are a clear indication that Transnet’s workers are determined that their demands must be met.
In my more than 44 years as a Transnet employee and trade unionist I have never seen the company’s workers so angry and determined,” says De Vos.
Even the traditionally docile white-collar workers say they will strike and march alongside us.
The issues uniting Utatu and Satawu and driving the dispute are, inter alia:
• The years of low pay increases that have reduced Transnet’s remuneration to well below market levels.
• Transnet’s current 8% wage offer in the face of the unions’ 15% demand.
• Bonus disparities that accorded less than 10% of Transnet’s employees more than 50% of its annual bonus pay out.(40% to Managers)
• Transnet’s refusal to negotiate its bonus levels.
• Transnet’s increasing use of contract workers.
• The company’s discriminatory maternity leave conditions.(Why must managers get one month more maternity leave? Surely this is unfair!!)
For more detail contact:
Chris de Vos – General Secretary UTATU – 082 882 5920
Steve Harris – General Secretary UTATU – 082 566 5516
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