Four unions opposing Transnet’s restructuring plan will meet this week to decide when to serve the company with a 48-hour strike notice, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said on Tuesday.
”We are hoping that by Monday next week we will formally announce the content of our plan of action,” said Randall Howard, Satawu’s general secretary.
He said all unions were at a point where ”we are acting in a united front” against Transnet’s restructuring programme.
The four unions are Satawu, the United Association of SA, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union and the SA Railway and Harbour Workers’ Union.
”More than 50 000 union members would be involved in the [planned strike] action. We are indeed ready to strike,” Howard said.
Reports said that the restructuring measures at Transnet, which plans to do away with its non-core businesses, would affect about 30 600 jobs.
A Transnet official said the Transnet Restructuring Committee (TRC) would continue to consult with the unions on the matter.
”The full TRC meets again this week,” Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu said on Tuesday.
In a statement issued earlier, he hinted that SA Airways, SA Express, Viamax Fleet Management, Viamax Fleet Solutions, Autopax, Equity Aviation, VAE Perway and Protekon would not be affected by the planned strike. – Sapa