Bus drivers set to strike across South Africa

Bus drivers are set to go on strike following the collapse of a three-month-long negotiation process, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said on Friday.

Satawu and two other unions—the Transport and Allied Workers’ Union and the Transport and Omnibus Workers’ Union—could not agree on the across-the-board increment, the structuring of retrenchment benefits and the overall management of salary adjustments.

“Labour demands an across-the-board increase of 13%, while bus owners are prepared to give a 5% increment,” read a statement. “Other unresolved issues include what workers have described as unfair calculation of retrenchment packages for departing workers as well the manner that the adjustment of salaries is managed.”

Satawu said drivers earn about R2 225 a month, with differences between the various bus companies.

“Other workers who are involved in this action are cleaners, in-house security personnel and depot staff. All the nine provinces in the country will be affected.”

Satawu called on employers to reconsider their position as the national strike would likely affect bus transport before, during and after the Easter weekend.

Bus companies that would be affected included Putco, Mayibuye Algoa, Greyhound, Buscor, Megabus, North West Star, Great North Transport, IBL, Maluti, Remant Alton, Gauteng Coaches, Ipelegeng and Mgqibelo.

Earlier this week, a two-week strike that crippled operations at Autopax was called off following a settlement agreement between the company and Satawu.—Sapa