Press Statement dated 27 March 2018
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) declared a dispute against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) this afternoon in the 2018 wage negotiations at the Prasa Bargaining Forum.
The dispute has been referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) after the employer refused to increase its wage offer from 7,3% and does not want to include a no retrenchment clause in the proposed wage agreement.
UNTU is demanding a 13% salary increase for 2018 and that the employer increase its acting allowance by 18%. The Union also wants the state-owned enterprises to agree not to retrench any employees within the next financial year.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says the employer cannot plead poverty after the so-called Gupta-leaks revealed several alleged corrupt transactions. “The employer wants its employees to pay the brunt for certain individuals who robbed Prasa of its money. That is not our problem,” says Harris.
According to him the cost of living is taking its toll on UNTU members, the majority of employees working for Prasa. “By now there is not one service provider who has not sent out a message to inform clients that it prices will increase from 1 April 2018 due to Government’s 1% increase of Value Added Tax. Our members need to earn a decent wage,” says Harris.
If the CCMA is unable to resolve the dispute, the Union will be issued with a certificate that will allow the Union to embark on a protected strike in Prasa within 48 hours.
A date for the CCMA conciliation has not been set.
Issued on behalf of United National Transport Union (UNTU) by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer