Satawu vows to continue Transnet strike despite Untu’s signing of 3-year wage deal on Monday

THE smaller of the two main labour unions at state-owned port and rail operator vowed to continue a strike over wages that’s curbing key exports.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union rejected its rival United National Transport Union’s acceptance of Transnet’s pay offer and said industrial action will go on until workers are assured they won’t lose their jobs. Untu said Monday it agreed a three-year pay deal with Transnet for increases of as much as 6%.

“The strike is going on,” Satawu spokeswoman Amanda Tshemese said by phone on Tuesday. “Our members made it clear that until we get a no retrenchment clause and what is due to them, the strike will go on.”

Satawu says it represents about a third of Transnet’s 55 827 full-time and contract staff, compared with the 24 992 workers that Untu represents.

The strike, which Untu began on October 6 and