As the nationwide bus strike enters its third week bus drivers and employers have still not reached a deal that will resolve the impasse.
The Spokesperson for the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU), Zanele Sabela told Political Analysis South Africa that the unions have already revised their initial offer of a 12% pay increase to 9.5%.
Sabela said that it was now up to employers to come to the party to meet the workers demands.
“Salaries in this industry are really low. Minimum wage of drivers is R6900 without benefits. These people work really long hours under difficult conditions,” she said.
“We’ve moved and they should come up with the 9.5% that we are looking for…the workers give while the employers take,” she said.
Last week, employers revised their offer of a 7% pay increase to 9% in the first year and a 8% increase in the second year.
The strike began on 16 April 2018 and has left thousands of commuters across South Africa stranded. Despite interventions from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the Department of Transport and the Department of Labour, workers and employers have not yet resolved on the on the way forward.
Sabela said that unions and employers would meet again at the bargaining table on Thursday, 2 May 2018.