Wage talks in the nationwide bus strike are set to continue today, 24 April 2018 with the Department of Labour expected to mediate between unions and employers.
Zanele Sabela, who is the Spokesperson for the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) told Political Analysis South Africa that the labour department will be facilitating the meeting today.
“The Department of Labour will facilitate that meeting. They do it every now and again when there’s a stalemate so they’ll come in and do that. They have really been helpful last in the very same strike when we couldn’t agree,” she said.
Sabela said that non-unionised members might be encouraged to join the protest action because unions have decided to intensify. She also laid to bed any rumours of solidarity strikes by workers in other sectors.
“Non-unionised members. I don’t think that they are at a stage of a solidarity strike yet,” she said.
Talks between bus drivers and employers reached a deadlock on Friday, 20 April 2018 at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) when parties could not agree on a settlement. Bus drivers revised their initial demand of a 12% increase to a 9.5% increase in the first year of employment, and a 9% increase in the second year. Employers are offering a 7% increase.
At least 50 bus companies across the country have reportedly not been operating since the strike began on Wednesday 18 April 2018. Many commuters have been left to look for alternative means of transport.
