Union calls off tomorrow’s Gautrain strike
It will be business as usual for Gautrain services tomorrow, Friday, 7 July, after the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) called off its strike. THE REASON TO AVERT THE STRIKE ACTION This follows successful negotiations with the management of Gautrain regarding wage disputes, Business Tech reports. Last month, NUMSA threatened to shut down the Gautrain service after wage […]
It will be business as usual for Gautrain services tomorrow, Friday, 7 July, after the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) called off its strike.
THE REASON TO AVERT THE STRIKE ACTION
This follows successful negotiations with the management of Gautrain regarding wage disputes, Business Tech reports.
Last month, NUMSA threatened to shut down the Gautrain service after wage talks deadlocked.
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THE DEMANDS FROM NUMSA TO GAUTRAIN MANAGEMENT
The union demanded the following from the employer:
- 8% Across the board increase
- A one year agreement valid from the 1st of July to the 30th of June 2024
- Housing allowance to increase to R1750
- Transport allowance to increase from R100 to R125 per shift or R2100 per month for all shift workers whether they worked or not.
- Night shift allowance of R38 per hour
- Medical aid contribution of the employers should be 55% and the employees contribute 45%
- KPI bonus of R15 000
- No retrenchment for the period of the agreement
- Status quo to remain on train rides for all employees coming to work and going back home.
- The Fare evasion policy must be abolished.
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UNION LEADER’S CRITICISM OF THE EMPLOYER
Backing the strike last month, the union’s General Secretary Irvin Jim said, “The reason for the dispute is that the company wants to abolish the staff cards which allow workers to ride the Gautrain for free when they are travelling to and from work”.
Furthermore, he said the company also wants to abolish the housing allowance which enables workers to access housing.
“Without it, they would not be able to buy their own homes. Gautrain proposed removing it so it can be built into the wages, but our members reject this,” he said.
“We condemn the decision to terminate the staff cards in the strongest terms. There is no rationale for refusing workers the right to use the trains for free because the train is their tool of work. Without the dedication and sweat of our members the Gautrain would not be able to operate,” he added.
This is a developing story.
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