Fin24 reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Friday it would be tabling an ambitious set of demands for consideration at the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC), including a 54% wage hike for the lowest-paid bus drivers.

"We demand that the lowest paid must be moved up to R12,000 per month. Currently, the lowest earner gets approximately R7,800. For two years our members have not been getting across the board increases because of Covid-19," the union’s statement indicated. Numsa will be demanding a one-year agreement in terms of which workers would get industry medical aid with company contribution at 80%, a housing allowance, fewer overtime shifts and increases to wages at all lower levels. The current main agreement expires on 31 March and the sector will need a new wage agreement as of 1 April. At SARPBAC, workers are represented by Numsa, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, while employers are represented by the SA Bus Employers’ Association and the Consumer Bus Employers Organisation.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24

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