News24 reports that the nationwide bus strike enters its third day on Friday as employers and unions return to the negotiating table to make another attempt at striking a deal.
No agreement was reached by the end of Thursday during talks facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). "Until we actually come out to say this is over, the strike continues," National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) spokesperson Phakhamile Hlubi said on Thursday. The CCMA talks were convened when the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC) asked for the mediation body’s urgent intervention to help stop the strike, which began on Wednesday. The unions are demanding a pay rise of 12%, while employers have offered 7%. Among other demands is a minimum wage of R8,000 instead of R6,070. In the meantime, taxi operators and rail services are picking up the slack.
- Read this report by Jenna Etheridge and Jenni Evans in full at News24
- See too, Metrorail running extra trips amid bus drivers' strike, at EWN
- And also, Santaco urges drivers not to overload taxis, at EWN
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page