Moneyweb reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) has signed a three-year wage agreement with Transnet, bringing the union’s 12-day strike to an end.

According to Transnet, the agreement, which provides for a range of increases of between 5.5% and 6%, applies to all bargaining unit employees, including those who are not members of Untu. The agreement will be effective from 1 April 2022 and will be implemented from 1 October 2022. The deal contains the following provisions: Year 1 - A 6% increase in the basic wage for levels H to L, and 6% on the annual cost-to-company package for level G; Year 2 - A 5.5% increase in the basic wage for levels H to L, and 5.5% on the annual cost-to-company package for level G; Year 3 - A 6% increase in the basic wage for levels H to L, and 6% on the annual cost-to-company package for level G; An increase in the medical aid subsidy, in line with the increases in the basic wage, over the duration of the agreement (the increase in medical subsidy for the 2022/23 financial year will be implemented from 1 October 2022); An increase in the housing allowance commencing from the year 2023/24; Back-pay for the period 1 April to 30 September 2022 to be paid in two tranches, namely three months’ back-pay on 15 November 2022, and three months’ back-pay on 16 January 2023. In a statement on Sunday, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) indicated: “The organisation has rejected the 6% increment by the employer as per the mandate of the workers. Until the workers give us a new mandate, the strike continues.” However, Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi pointed out: “The agreement includes all bargaining unit employees, Satawu, the minority unions and the non-unionised ones.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nondumiso Lehutso at Moneyweb

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