Negotiations regarding the Metrobus strike were adjourned on Monday at a sensitive stage, a Metrobus spokesperson said.
”We are not deadlocked, but adjourned, negotiations have reached a very sensitive stage,” Kenney Kutu said.
Representatives from the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and Metrobus met to discuss a proposal that was made by the mediator last week and accepted by the union.
It was not clear when the next meeting between both parties would take place, but an announcement on the strike would be made by Tuesday or later this week.
Kutu said earlier that the proposal was ”good” but a bit steep for Metrobus in terms of implementing.
”…We came up with another offer which we believe we can afford,” Kutu said.
He said Metrobus did not want to commit to a deal which would see it end up ”deeper in the red”.
”The huge challenge we have is money.”
The bus services remained suspended because of safety aspects.
Monetary settlements were agreed upon last week but the main sticking point was the inability of Metrobus employees to move to a higher salary scale.
All drivers earned the same monthly wage, regardless of how many years they had served the company.
A 2007 Metrobus strike saw 21 violent incidents, including murder, reported to the police.
This month’s strike has been peaceful so far, but no Metrobuses are running because the company said it could not guarantee the safety of drivers standing in for the striking workers. — Sapa