UNTU ready to face off with Transnet over wage dispute
Last week, Transnet offered a multi-year wage deal, including a cumulative 17.5% increase across the board over the course of three financial years.
Picture: Rejoice Ndlovu/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The United National Transport Union (UNTU) said it was ready to face off with Transnet over wages after the majority union declared a dispute with the port and rail operator.
Last week, Transnet offered a multi-year wage deal, including a cumulative 17.5% increase across the board over the course of three financial years.
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The deal was adopted by UNTU’s rival, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU).
But UNTU’s spokesperson, Atenkosi Plaatjie, said the state-owned entity had used underhanded tactics by trying to unilaterally implement a deal signed by a minority union.
"This blatant disregard for due process will leave UNTU with no choice but to exercise its constitutional right to take to the streets, as we did in 2022."
Plaatjie said that a protracted dispute would cause irreversible damage.
"Management’s actions will have severe economic consequences, just as they did in 2022, when the country lost R1 billion per day during industrial action by thousands of UNTU members. The arrogance shown by Transnet management towards UNTU will cause an economic standstill."