The strike by Metrorail workers that has been delaying tens of thousands of commuters for the past two days can be resolved for about R1-million a year, a spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Tuesday.
Cosatu’s Western Cape regional secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, said the loss in production and good faith caused by the strike can be calculated at R3,5-million over the two days.
”If you did the maths, it would show that the extra percentage point [in the salary hike that workers want would] cost Metrorail about R1-million per annum … already the loss in production and good faith in the company can be calculated at R3,5-million over just two days,” Ehrenreich said.
”This strike is causing huge disruptions, and all because of a 1% wage increase.
”This entire crisis in rail transport must be put at the door of Metrorail and the government,” Ehrenreich said in a statement.
Thousands of commuters were delayed in or prevented from going to work on Tuesday as the pay strike by two unions entered its second day.
They are the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions (Utatu) and the United Association of South Africa (Uasa). The two bodies claim membership of 1 500 and 2 500 respectively.
They have rejected a 5,5% pay rise offered by Metrorail, demanding a 6,5% increase across the board.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, an affiliate of Cosatu, accepted Metrorail’s wage offer.
The Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the potential effect of the strike is ”so serious” that there is a case to declare public transport an essential service that cannot be disrupted by strike action.
”In one case, a Woodstock factory reported that only 60% of its staff had turned up for work this morning [Tuesday],” said Albert Schuitmaker, chamber director, in a statement.
Schuitmaker said people who can least afford the extra cost to pay for taxi fares are being affected. He appealed to people with cars to give workers lifts wherever possible.
The chamber also asked the taxi industry not to exploit the situation by increasing fares.
Metrorail ‘cannot afford’ increase
Metrorail spokesperson Thandi Mlangeni said the company cannot afford the increase.
”If we accede to the 6,5%, we will not be able to honour our obligations to upgrade Metrorail’s infrastructure,” she said.
”We will have increase ticket prices for commuters or we will have to go to the government and ask for more money. These options are clearly not viable.”
Mlangeni said the other option is for the government to reinvest in rail infrastructure.
”We want the government to reinvest in rail infrastructure by buying more rolling stock and upgrading the trains,” she said.
Mlangeni said reports of chaos at many train stations around the country were exaggerated.
Witwatersrand area trains were running at 93% on Tuesday, in Tshwane they were running at 57% and in Durban the situation was close to normal, said Mlangeni.
Cape Town was running at 22% at 7am, but the number was bound to have increased, she said.
”We do understand that frustrations people are experiencing. But we are managing the strike very well,” Mlangeni said.
Higher estimates
Utatu, however, estimated that up to 70% of train services in the Pretoria area had come to a halt on Tuesday morning due to the strike.
In Cape Town, the union said 100% of the train service along major lines — the southern suburbs, central and north areas — was affected.
Along the branch lines to Stellenbosch and Strand, an ”ineffective service” of about 10% was being maintained.
In Johannesburg, the police blocked the entrance to Metrorail’s head office in Smit Street as hundreds of workers protested outside the building.
The workers carried union flags and shouted ”6,5% across the board”.
Uasa chairperson Jerry Siaghe said the union will continue to strike until its demands are met.
”We will continue with our protest action until we get what we want, even if it takes months,” he said.
Utatu spokesperson Chris de Vos said the unions expect the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to intervene in the strike later on Tuesday.
He said Spoornet workers will join the unions in a sympathy strike later in the day. — Sapa