CCMA mediating wage dispute between NUMSA and Gautrain operating company
Negotiations deadlocked, leading to an indefinite strike earlier this week by Gautrain workers affiliated with the union.
- Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)
- Gautrain
- National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
JOHANNESBURG - The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is mediating a wage dispute between the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Bombela Operating Company, which manages the Gautrain.
Negotiations deadlocked, leading to an indefinite strike earlier this week by Gautrain workers affiliated with the union.
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The employees are demanding a 9% salary increase and overtime compensation, among other things, and the employer is offering a 5.6% hike.
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the CCMA initiated the mediation.
"In terms of the legislation, the CCMA is empowered to invite parties who are engaged in a wage dispute to participate in conciliation if the dispute is in the public interest.
“NUMSA will be participating in this process, and we will adopt an open mind in order to ensure that we play our role in finding a speedy resolution to the strike."
NUMSA said its affiliates who work for the Gautrain would continue with their indefinite strike until the employer tables a meaningful wage offer.
“We participated in a meeting with the Gautrain management agency [and] representatives from the were also present. The atmosphere of the meeting was positive, and we hope that a speedy resolution will be found to settle the strike,” said Hlubi-Majola.
TRANSPORT MEC PLEADS FOR A SPEEDY RESOLUTION
Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has pleaded with Bombela Operating Company and NUMSA to find a speedy resolution to a wage impasse.
The MEC's spokesperson, Lesiba Mpya, said the department is monitoring talks at the CCMA.
“MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela finds pleasure in informing the public that the two parties, NUMSA and the employer, have found it in their hearts to go back to the negotiating table and amicably find a solution to the impasse.”
He said they are hopeful that the talks will yield some common ground and put commuters at ease.
"This is an important message to commuters that even though Gautrain services have not been disrupted by the strike, we appreciate that news of industrial actions can justifiably make you feel anxious and uncertain about the reliability of the service.”