Striking Metrobus workers will gather at the company’s Braamfontein offices on Monday — leaving Johannesburg bus commuters to fend for themselves.
South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) branch secretary Dumisani Langa said around 600 workers would picket outside Metrobus offices after a dispute with the company over sick leave.
”We sympathise with the public, but we cannot do away with workers’ rights … the union doors are open if the employers will come to the negotiating table, but they do not want to do that,” said Langa.
He said the workers were told in 2005 that they stood to lose sick leave accumulated over 15 years if it was not taken within 30 days.
This was after Metrobus took over the service from the City of Johannesburg.
”When members were transferred to Metrobus they said all the same terms and conditions would apply, but then when they came across, Metrobus said they would do away with accumulated sick leave,” said Langa.
In November last year, the union asked that workers be paid out and cancelled a planned strike.
”We don’t decide when to fall sick and obviously the employer didn’t think properly before giving workers a month only,” said Langa.
Eloise York, a commuter waiting for a bus at Ghandi Square on Monday, said there were many people waiting for buses at the terminus.
”Only about four buses have passed so far … I think the strike is just for today, maybe it will be over by tomorrow,” she said.
Metrobus was not immediately available for comment. – Sapa