PHUTI MOSOMANE
THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) members have threatened to strike leaving hundreds of Gautrain users stranded as wage negotiations have deadlocked.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the union has been engaging in wage talks with the management at Gautrain – managed by the Bombela Operating Company,
The negotiations are about a new wage agreement.
The union is demanding an 8% across the board increase, and a one year agreement valid from 1 July to 30 June 2024.
Workers are demanding an increase in housing allowance to R1 750 and transport allowance to increase from R100 to R125 per shift or R2 100 per month for all shift workers whether they worked or not.
As part of the wage negotiations, the union wants Gautrain to guarantee that there will be no retrenchment for the period of the agreement.
The workers also want the status quo to remain on train rides for all employees coming to work and going back home. Where workers get free rides for traveling to and from work.
The reason for the dispute is that the company wants to abolish the staff cards which allow workers to ride the Gautrain for free when traveling to and from work. This benefit has been in place since 2013.
The decision to abolish the staff cards is outrageous because, Numsa said, its members cannot afford to pay to use the Gautrain because it is really expensive, hence the need for staff cards, Hlubi-Majola said.
“We condemn the decision to terminate the staff cards in the strongest terms. There is no rationale for refusing workers the right to use the trains for free, because the train is their tool of work.
“Without the dedication and sweat of our members the Gautrain would not be able to operate. The Gautrain is costly and workers cannot afford to pay for it on their own. The housing allowance must be reinstated.
“Without it, they would not be able to buy their own homes. Gautrain proposed removing it so it can be built into the wages, but our members reject this,” Hlubi-Majola said.
NUMSA has been issued with a strike certificate and on the 28th of June, the union will be balloting members in preparation for the strike.
In an effort to avert the strike, Numsa has requested a meeting with management on 28 June.
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