/ 19 May 2010

Union members mull new Transnet offer

Union Members Mull New Transnet Offer

Trade union members who have been striking against Transnet were on Wednesday considering a new offer from management.

The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said they had sent a new offer to their members for acceptance.

“We’ve got a new offer, and we are in the process of going to our members for a mandate,” said Satawu policy researcher Jane Barrett.

“We are recommending acceptance.”

Barrett, however, stressed that final acceptance of the agreement would reside with union members.

Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu said in a statement that negotiations had continued until 4am on Wednesday.

“The talks, intended to resolve the ongoing wage dispute, were constructive and positive,” said Dludlu.

Utatu general secretary Chris de Vos said it was taking the offer to its members.

“We need a mandate for it and we may sign it tomorrow [Thursday] at 4pm,” said De Vos.

“There’s an excellent opportunity that guys will return to work on Friday.”

‘Dead end’
Barrett said they would not be able to get a response from Satawu members until Thursday. She said that if the offer was accepted, the earliest that members could return to work would be Friday.

De Vos and Barrett would not discuss the contents of the new offer. Previously, Utatu members rejected an 11% wage increase offer from Transnet, which its leaders had endorsed.

“There are improvements made, not what we wanted but we firmly believe that it should be a great possibility of settlement,” said De Vos. “All indications are that we are at a dead end.”

Dludlu also would not give details of the new offer. He said the parties were due to reconvene at 4pm on Thursday.

“We will then be in a position to give a full report on the details of the negotiations. Until then, Transnet will not comment on the details of the talks to ensure that the process is given every chance to succeed,” said Dludlu.

The unions had been on strike since last week. — Sapa