SATAWU, UNTU declare dispute with PRASA over wage negotiations

JOHANNESBURG - Two of the largest unions representing workers at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) have declared a dispute as the 2025/26 wage negotiations hit another snag.

Negotiators from the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), alongside the United National Transport Union (UNTU), met with management at the rail operator this week.

But the third attempt at talks ended without consensus on wage demands.
 
The consolidated wage demands between unions SATAWU and UNTU include a 15% wage increase across the board, a R3,000 housing subsidy, a standby shift and a night shift allowance.

They’re also demanding a medical aid subsidy where PRASA contributes 70% of the premiums, while workers will fork out the 30% balance.

The final of the eight demands is a non-negotiable no-retrenchment clause for the duration of the agreement.

UNTU spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie said PRASA’s claims that the SOE could not afford double-digit increases was another attempt to negotiate in bad faith.

PRASA’s financial turmoil is publicly documented, with the auditor-general (AG) recently sounding the alarm on the company’s R3.8 billion irregular expenditure for the 2022/23 financial year.

But the unions said that PRASA could not pass the buck to workers who were also facing their own hardships.

The matter will now be mediated at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).