Minister of Public Enterprises Jeff Radebe on Friday in Pretoria handed over R100 to South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) leaders in a symbolic gesture of solidarity.
”I will follow this up with another R900 to help the plight of these people who have been on strike for almost three months,” said the minister on receiving a memorandum from about 3 000 striking Satawu workers and supporters.
Satawu and its parent labour federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, have called on the government to intervene in the baggage-handling strike involving private black empowerment company Equity Aviation Services.
Radebe confirmed that the government would intervene in the strike and would be asking Equity Aviation to convene a shareholders meeting this weekend.
”We want these strikers back at work on Monday,” Radebe said confidently while addressing the marchers outside the Public Enterprises Ministry in Hatfield.
Baggage handlers employed by Equity Aviation Services have been on strike since December 18, arising from a dispute about annual pay rises and working conditions.
On Thursday, Satawu said it was prepared to settle for a pay rise of 6% to 7,5%, but would not accept ”worsened” conditions of employment.
Equity Aviation has proposed increasing the number of weekly working hours from 40 to 45. Satawu has agreed to 41 hours.
The union was also concerned that much of the increase offered was in the form of non-pensionable allowances and productivity bonuses.
It is, furthermore, insisting on the reinstatement of ”over 150” workers dismissed during the strike.
Equity Aviation is a privatised company, 51% of which is held by black economic empowerment shareholders.
Pretoria traffic was severely disrupted by the protest on Friday morning.
Sections of Nelson Mandela Drive and Schoeman Street — two of the city’s busiest routes — had to be closed off and traffic diverted as the protesters made their way from the Pretoria train station to Hatfield.
Privatisation was one of the group’s main gripes, according to the memorandum.
A strong police presence has been deployed to keep an eye on the protest.
Similar rallies had been planned for Durban and Bloemfontein. — Sapa