A union representing striking truck drivers will meet in Johannesburg on Monday morning to discuss Sunday’s negotiations with employers.
”We are going to talk to our shop stewards who will in turn go back to our members and brief them about the meeting,” said June Dube, the vice-president of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu).
”I’m not sure exactly about the logistical preparations in other provinces but here in Gauteng, we will meet with our members outside at the Library Gardens for a full briefing.”
Negotiations between truckers’ unions and their employers ended after 1am on Monday, with the unions saying they have to report back to their members first before divulging details about the negotiations.
Talking to Sapa at 2am on Monday, Dube said there were a number of issues still to be discussed.
”What we discussed during the meeting was the issue of the minimum increase across the board. And this is what we will be reporting back on to our members,” said Dube.
He said the negotiations ”were progressive this time” and the union was optimistic that the final outcome would be satisfactory to both parties.
Last week, about 30 000 truck drivers across the country took to the streets in support of pay demands.
The protests, which were marked by incidents of violence, led to 29 truckers being arrested in Johannesburg on Tuesday for public violence, assault and damage to property.
Nine people were injured during confrontations between the police and the strikers, and taken to hospital.
Truckers were demanding a 10% increase in minimum wages and a nine percent pay rise across the board. The Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA) was offering a seven percent raise on basic salaries and an additional allowance of 2,33% for 12 months, which is an improvement on its initial offer of 6,5%.
The unions were also demanding that the night shift allowance be in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Other unions participating include the Africa Miners And Allied Workers’ Union, Motor Transport Workers’ Union (South Africa), Professional Transport Workers Union of South Africa. – Sapa