In an attempt to avert legal strike action in the transport sector, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has requested an urgent meeting with Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.
In a copy of a letter forwarded to Ndebele on Friday, Fedusa said its affiliate, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), was "dismayed" by the unethical and irresponsible action taken by Metrorail management.
Last week, a strike by the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) was called off after an agreement was reached.
"Their action of signing an eight percent agreement with Satawu has placed the company's Utatu members - the majority of its train drivers, operational and maintenance staff - in a very untenable position," Fedusa general secretary Dennis George said in the letter.
He said Metrorail had reneged on its previous offer of seven percent from April 1, with adjustments to the housing and medical subsidy which amounted to another one percent, and a further 1,5 percent increase from September 1, which would then total 9,5 percent.
"Their offer of eight percent is therefore ludicrous and is being rejected out of hand by our Utatu members."
He said in a "last ditch" attempt, Utatu had met with group chief executive officer Lucky Montana to try and avert strike action by members.
"Unfortunately, they deadlocked and no change was made to the signed agreement, which apparently will be implemented and paid today [Friday] to Satawu members and free-riders."
George said Fedusa strongly supported its affiliate and therefore called on the government and Ndebele to urgently and expeditiously intervene in the matter.
"The intended strike action will have dire consequences not only for commuters, but also for all other employers in South Africa, as millions of workers will be deprived of their normal means of transport," he said.
The strike action was scheduled to start just after midnight on Monday morning.
Metrorail is expected to comment in a later statement
(www.dailynews.co.za)
In a copy of a letter forwarded to Ndebele on Friday, Fedusa said its affiliate, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), was "dismayed" by the unethical and irresponsible action taken by Metrorail management.
Last week, a strike by the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) was called off after an agreement was reached.
"Their action of signing an eight percent agreement with Satawu has placed the company's Utatu members - the majority of its train drivers, operational and maintenance staff - in a very untenable position," Fedusa general secretary Dennis George said in the letter.
He said Metrorail had reneged on its previous offer of seven percent from April 1, with adjustments to the housing and medical subsidy which amounted to another one percent, and a further 1,5 percent increase from September 1, which would then total 9,5 percent.
"Their offer of eight percent is therefore ludicrous and is being rejected out of hand by our Utatu members."
He said in a "last ditch" attempt, Utatu had met with group chief executive officer Lucky Montana to try and avert strike action by members.
"Unfortunately, they deadlocked and no change was made to the signed agreement, which apparently will be implemented and paid today [Friday] to Satawu members and free-riders."
George said Fedusa strongly supported its affiliate and therefore called on the government and Ndebele to urgently and expeditiously intervene in the matter.
"The intended strike action will have dire consequences not only for commuters, but also for all other employers in South Africa, as millions of workers will be deprived of their normal means of transport," he said.
The strike action was scheduled to start just after midnight on Monday morning.
Metrorail is expected to comment in a later statement
(www.dailynews.co.za)
No comments:
Post a Comment