Press Statement dated 24 July 2018
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) will today give Bombela, operator of the Gautrain, 48-hour notice that our members will embark on a protected strike from Monday, 30 July 2018 over wages.
This comes after the majority of UNTU members working for the Gautrain voted in favour of a strike at a UNTU Mass Meeting that was held at the Midrand Station yesterday.
The Mass Meeting was to obtain a Mandate from UNTU members after the Commission for Arbitration, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), issued the Union with a strike certificate last week after the deadlock in the wage negotiations could not be resolved.
Bombela’s is offering UNTU members an 8.5% salary increase across the board but does not was to pay employees an incentive bonus.
UNTU is demanding the following based on the current global economic recession which has a devastating impact on the daily lives of all our members:
Basic Salary 10%
Housing Allowance R1600
Transport Allowance R800 or Staff card usage for Office workers
NWTS R64 per hour
Night Shift Allowance To be increased by 10%
Medical Aid Contribution 55 employer / 45 employee
Incentive Bonuses R20 000 for all employees
UNTU would like to beforehand apologize to commuters who will be badly affected by the strike.
“In accordance with South Africa’s Constitution and Labour legislation, UNTU members at the Gautrain has no alternative than to embark on a protected strike to try and force their employer to agree to their demands. It is UNTU’s last resort,” says Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.
The strike will commence on Monday, 30 July 2018.
Issued on behalf of United National Transport Union (UNTU) by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer