SAMWU to Metrobus amid stayaway: 'Come and address workers' grievances'

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) said it would continue its stay away from Metrobus in Johannesburg until an agreement is reached with the bus company's management.
 
Some Joburg commuters were left stranded when drivers affiliated with SAMWU refused to operate their buses on Thursday.

It’s understood their action started on Wednesday afternoon, when a handful of drivers disrupted operations leaving commuters in the lurch during peak hour traffic.

Metrobus said while it tried to continue operations through the strike, it was forced to shut down its operations altogether due to potential violence and intimidation directed at both passengers and drivers.

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The City of Johannesburg’s passenger services said its buses will remain parked indefinitely after the operator accused its drivers of embarking on an unprotected strike.

However, the SAMWU says there is no strike action but rather an appeal to have their member's grievances addressed by employers.

"Probably they don't understand a meeting and a strike - which is something we will teach them as we move. But from where we are, there is no strike just purely a general meeting from workers. If they were to come and address these grievances from workers, definitely they would be ready to go and work," said SAMWU’s regional secretary Thobani Nkosi.
 
Nkosi said one of the key issues raised by drivers revolves around the substandard quality of the Metrobus fleet.