A national protected strike in the road freight and logistics sector is set for March 15, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said in a statement on Monday.
The strike — with regard to the wage dispute declared on January 28 — would commence at midnight ”and will be indefinite until our demands are satisfactorily met”, Satawu said.
According to the union, the strike would hit cash-in-transit deliveries as well as furniture removals, and would include the general freight and logistics sector responsible for the transport of fuel, chemicals, medical supplies, building supplies, perishable goods and livestock.
”The non-transportation of building materials will definitely delay the 2010 construction work currently under way.
”The same will apply to the non-transportation of medical supplies and waste, which could create a health hazard,” the union said.
According to Satawu, the union was ”the largest and most influential trade union”, representing about 25 000 workers in the national road freight and logistics sector.
It said it would therefore be at the forefront ”of the struggle for a living wage” together with other unions, focusing on increasing the minimum wage and improving conditions of employment.
”The minimum wage remains very low and currently stands at R883,88 per week for drivers and at R579,16 per week for general workers.”
Satawu has demanded a minimum wage of R6 000 per month for drivers and a minimum wage of R3 000 per month for general workers
The union said that long working hours (currently at 45) remained a major challenge as they continued to negatively affect the quality of life of drivers with regard to long periods away from their families, exposure to prostitution and HIV/Aids, ill health and fatigue.
The strike notice will be issued by March 10 to the bargaining council and the Road Freight Employers’ Association, the union said.
However, Satawu said it remained willing to engage in negotiations ”to avert a national strike”. — Sapa