Talks between the City of Johannesburg and the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) over the ongoing Metrobus strike resumed on Monday morning, the municipality said on Monday.
Municipal spokesperson Gabu Tugwana said the City of Johannesburg officials had replaced Metrobus representatives in handling the negotiations.
”Metrobus officials have been through a difficult period with their employees being robbed, intimidated and murdered. We thought we should give them time to heal,” Tugwana said.
He said the municipality hoped that a settlement would be reached soon.
An agreement by both parties would pave the way for peaceful operational conditions, he said.
Metrobus has been locked in a dispute with Samwu for more than a month over the non-payment of unused sick leave and the reinstatement of dismissed staffers.
A number of violent incidents, which left three drivers dead, have taken place since the strike began in January.
Metrobus temporarily suspended operations after one of its buses was found burnt out at the Kagiso cemetery near Krugersdorp two weeks ago.
The charred bodies of two Metrobus employees were found inside the bus.
It is believed the bus was hijacked while taking Metrobus employees to work.
Samwu spokesperson Dumisani Langa was not available for comment on Monday. — Sapa