Two Transnet unions at odds after wage negotiations round
SATAWU has signed a multi-year agreement that was tabled following a two-week cooling period but talks with UNTU deadlocked on Wednesday when negotiators met with Transnet management.
Picture: Rejoice Ndlovu/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Two unions at Transnet are at odds following a round of wage negotiations at the rail operator.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has signed a multi-year agreement that was tabled following a two-week cooling period.
But talks with the United National Transport Union (UNTU) deadlocked on Wednesday when negotiators met with Transnet management.
With less than a week before the current wage agreement lapses, UNTU has rejected Transnet’s offer, which has been signed by SATAWU.
The three-year offer signed by SATAWU includes a 6% wage increase across the board for the first year, another 6% increase for year two, and a 5.5% increase in the final year of the agreement.
The agreement also makes provision for an increase in housing allowances and medical aid at the same rate as the wage increase.
“There will be no forceful retrenchments during this period of agreement. However, should the entity restructure itself, they will consult with us as labour,” said SATAWU spokesperson Amanda Tshemese.
UNTU, which represents more than half of the workers at the state-owned enterprise (SOE), said signing the offer is as good as financial suicide for workers battling with the high cost of living.