Press Statement dated 26 July 2018
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) and Bombela, operator of the Gautrain, this afternoon engaged in talks in an attempt to halt the first ever strike of the Gautrain this coming Monday, 30 July 2018.
Bombela proposed a new round of wage negotiations with the condition that the strike is suspended and that a facilitator is appointed to facilitate the process.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, said the Union was not prepared to suspend the upcoming strike, but was prepared to engage from Friday 27 July 2018 throughout the weekend to resolve the wage dispute.
The parties have not yet agreed on the name on the facilitator that they will use to try and resolve the deadlock.
Arnaud Legrand, Chief Executive Officer of Bombela, informed the Union that all UNTU members will be locked out from Monday 30 July 2018 for the duration of the strike. They will only be allowed to return to work when they agree to the terms set out by the Employer. UNTU represents more than 90% of all Bombela employees.
This comes after UNTU gave the Employer 48-hour notice earlier this week that our members will embark on a protected strike from Monday 30 July 2018 after wages.
Bombela’s is offering UNTU members an 8.5% salary increase across the board but does not want 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 shift
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.
Issued on behalf of United National Transport Union (UNTU) by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer