BL Premium reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) is set to conduct a strike ballot after wage talks with Transnet deadlocked on Monday.
Untu is one of the largest unions at Transnet, boasting 26,018 members. Untu’s Atenkosi Plaatjie said the union and management of the state-owned rail and ports operator “officially reached a deadlock” during a failed conciliation process conducted by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). “As such, the CCMA commissioner will issue a certificate of non-resolution, legally enabling Untu to commence with industrial action. Fortunately, the picketing rules were finalised before the start of negotiations, which now allows us to swiftly move forward with plans for industrial action,” she indicated. Plaatjie said the union was now set to ballot its members on whether to accept Transnet’s wage offer, or reject it and embark on strike action. She added: “The negotiations have reached a definitive conclusion and the deadlock stands … The time has come to mobilise. The time has come to negotiate on the streets.” Untu has declined to sign the three-year wage agreement that the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has accepted, for wage increases of 6% in the first and second years and 5.5% in the final year of the agreement. Untu is demanding a one-year 10% wage increase for 2025/26, a R2,500 housing allowance, R2,500 medical aid allowance and the removal of a cap on overtime.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
- Read too, Transnet workers warn of strike as pay talks fail, at Moneyweb
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page