Striking truck drivers rejected a new pay offer from the Road Freight Employers’ Association (RFEA) on Thursday, but talks are continuing.
After lengthy discussions with the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), the RFEA offered 7% on basic salaries — not 10% as demanded by drivers.
The RFEA also offered an allowance of 2,33% for 12 months on top of the 7% pay increase across the board. This was an improvement from its initial 6,5% offer.
The truckers had demanded an 8,5% increase across the board and a 9% raise for those on the current minimum wage.
They were also demanding that night-shift allowance be in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
For grades one, two and three in the sector transporting sugar, forest and furniture, the RFEA offered a 6% increase and a 2% allowance for a year. Grades four and five were offered 7% plus an additional 2% allowance for a year.
Satawu deputy president June Dube said the RFEA offered no change to the conditions of employment.
Dube told a large crowd of truckers outside the Johannesburg offices of the trucking industry’s bargaining council that the negotiators had rejected the RFEA’s latest offer.
The crowd shouted their approval, calling for a 10% increase. A protester’s placard read: ”Ons soek 10 persent. Kak met 8%. [We want 10%. Eight percent is shit.]”
The union and the RFEA resumed talks at 11am.
The thousands of striking truck drivers gathered in Braamfontein planned to adjourn to a new venue — not yet decided — to wait for the outcome of these negotiations.
On Wednesday, the parties negotiated from 3.30pm to 11pm — a seven-and-a-half-hour session.
About 30 000 truck drivers represented by five trade unions are on strike nationwide for better pay.
Talks resumed on Wednesday after they halted on Friday.
Twenty-nine people have been arrested and nine hospitalised in clashes with police during demonstrations. — Sapa