LABOUR federation COSATU has thrown its weight behind striking workers at Transnet led by SATAWU and other unions demanding a 12% salary increment across the board.
SATAWU confirmed on Monday that its workers have joined the strike, started by the United National Transport Union (UNTU) last week.
The strike follows a dispute between the unions and Transnet over salary negotiations.
In a media statement, Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said SATAWU is implementing the mandate of the COSATU 14 th National Congress that called on all unions to always be combat ready to lead the struggles of the workers for better wages and better working conditions.
“We call on Transnet to accede to the fair and reasonable demands of workers,” said Pamla.
“COSATU calls on workers to unite and work together to push back against attempts to prolong the wage stagnation that we have seen over the last few years. We also call on all other unions to support the Transnet strike because; An injury to one is an injury to all”.”
Pamla said the current economic trends have unleashed very harsh conditions for the working class and the poor.
“The escalating rate of unemployment means that an average employee now has to take care of about six people. The rising cost of living and unreasonable interest rate hikes have left many people struggling to afford basic amenities and stressed by the ever-rising debt service costs,” said Pamla.
In a statement on Sunday, Transnet said it was meeting the unions at the Transnet Bargaining Council under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in a bid to resolve the current impasse in wage negotiations.
“Transnet continues to engage with organised labour to find an amicable solution to the ongoing industrial action, which has a profoundly negative impact not only on employees and the company, but on the economy as well.”
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