NUMSA revises wage increase demand for striking Gautrain workers to 9%

JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has revised its wage increase demand for striking Gautrain workers to 9%.

On Monday morning, aggrieved employees affiliated to the union downed tools at the Maintenance Workshop Depot in Midrand, initially demanding a 13% hike.

NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi Majola said compromise was important during such negotiations. 

“We really want to find a middle ground. We did shift from 13% to 9%, so we are calling on Gautrain to meet up.”

Last week, NUMSA served the company the Bombela Operating Company, which operates the Gautrain, with a 48-hour strike notice.

Workers have been demanding a wage hike from the company since April.

Earlier on Monday, there were short-lived scuffles between the striking workers and private security officers.

Sporting their uniform, some of the workers who downed tools sang struggle songs and chanted against the proposed 5.6% increase by the Gautrain operator.

Tensions eventually simmered resulting in the parties finding each other.