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TimesLive reports that chaos erupted at the Richards Bay port on Thursday as Transnet workers downed tools and embarked on protests over failed wage talks.
Teargas and stun grenades were fired by police when they attempted to disperse hundreds of employees who blockaded the road near gate E of the port. Mounds of rubble, debris and even cement were strewn across the road as workers vented their frustration. Protests began shortly after midnight in Empangeni and spilt over into Richards Bay after eight hours of robust wage negotiations between the United National Transport Union (Untu) and management ended in a stalemate on Wednesday. Transnet is offering a 3% increase. In a statement on Thursday the union said management had not provided a revised offer to meet their mandate from members to match inflation, which was 7.6% in August. At least two people were arrested during Thursday’s protests in Richards Bay. Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi indicated: “Transnet’s primary focus remains to avoid mass industrial action as this will have a profound impact on economic activity across all sectors and urges workers to consider the long-term consequences of the strike on themselves, their colleagues, their families and the SA economy.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Orrin Singh at TimesLive
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