Metro bus strike rolls on

Johannesburg Metro Bus commuters resorted to alternative transport again on Thursday as municipal bus operators continued their strike.

Metro Bus spokesperson Kenney Kutu said negotiations were at an advanced stage following talks with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) on Wednesday.

Another meeting was expected to take place on Thursday morning to present a proposal to the union concerning salaries.

Apologising to customers, Kutu said bus tickets will be extended.

A Putco bus commuter told the South African Press Association that Metro Bus commuters were using Putco buses, which were packed to the maximum.

“It’s now difficult to find a bus that can accommodate us. They don’t stop most of the time because they are always full,” said Maggie Nkoane.

Samwu was arguing that employees within a certain salary band were unable to move up to the next pay notch, regardless of their experience.

It said that all drivers earned a monthly wage of R7 021, regardless of how many years they had served the company.

The strike started on Tuesday.—Sapa