PRASA, UNTU, SATAWU have 60 more days to find common ground in wage dispute

JOHANNESBURG – The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and two of its biggest trade unions have another 60 days to find common ground on a protracted wage dispute after the matter was heard at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Thursday.

This follows at least three failed rounds of negotiations at the State-owned entity.

The consolidated demands from the United National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) include a 15% wage increase across the board.

The two unions also want PRASA to agree to a non-negotiable no-retrenchment clause for the duration of the agreement.

UNTU spokesperson Atenkosi Platjie said, “The CMMA granted a 60-day extension to the conciliation process, effective from Thursday, 10 April 2025. The breakdown is as follows:  10 April – 10 May 2025: PRASA to complete its mandating process. 11 May – 26 May 2025: facilitated collective bargaining process led by a CCMA commissioner.”

Platjie said if this process is unsuccessful, the matter will return to the CCMA for final conciliation.

“If no resolution is reached, the CCMA will issue a certificate of non-resolution, after which Labour may exercise its legal right to embark on protected industrial action.”

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