BL Premium reports that the 17-day strike by members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) at Gautrain operator Bombela Operating Company (BOC) has come to an end after the parties signed a one-year 6.8% wage agreement.

BOC is a private company contracted by Bombela Concession Company (BCC) to operate and maintain the Gautrain systems. The wage agreement was signed by the two parties on Wednesday. Numsa members at Gautrain downed tools more than two weeks ago in support of their initial demand for a 13% wage increase, which they later revised down to 9%, citing the rising cost of living. The union argued its members’ demands were not unreasonable as the lowest-paid worker earned R8,000 a month “without any benefits”. Numsa had also demanded that BOC cover 60% of employees’ medical aid contribution costs and increase the housing allowance to R2,000 a month. The industrial action prompted the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to invoke a section 150 intervention to try to assist the parties in reaching an agreement.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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