Metrobus drivers in Johannesburg went on strike on Wednesday afternoon in protest against a new shift schedule, the bus company said.
“Metrobus wishes to extend its sincere apology to the thousands of stranded commuters and assure them that the company is doing all in its power to resolve the situation,” spokesperson Esther Dreyer said in a statement.
Dreyer said management had visited depots in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday to appeal to bus drivers not to go on strike.
“From those meetings, it was clear that the majority of our drivers are not willing to take part in the strike action called by Samwu. However, many drivers expressed fear for their lives should they not take part in the strike.”
Some bus operators affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) were unhappy about the recently introduced driver shifts implemented from December 6, 2010.
“Our new shift system adheres to the law. In fact it is in line with bus driver shifts for the bus transportation industry as a whole,” she said.
Management agreed to a request that senior bus drivers be allowed to choose a shift of their choice. As a result 84% of them got to do so.
Metrobus and Samwu were expected to have a meeting on Thursday to discuss an amicable solution, Dreyer said.
“Our commitment is to improve services to commuters and to ensure the viability of Metrobus in the long term.
“We sympathise with our commuters for the inconvenience they will endure during the strike and appeal to them for their patience,” she said. — Sapa