Gautrain workers on track to strike again
Gautrain employees disgruntled over an ongoing salary dispute could soon strike.
|||Johannesburg - Gautrain employees disgruntled over an ongoing salary dispute could soon strike.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is expected to rule in the matter between the Gautrain and its employees on Wednesday.
The CCMA could issue workers affiliated to the United National Transport Union (UNTU) with a strike certificate which could see them downing tools from next week.
While Gautrain operating company Bombela is offering a salary increase of 7.6 percent, the union is asking for 9 percent and a housing allowance increase.
UNTU general secretary Steve Harris told The Star on Tuesdaymorning that the CCMA would reach a verdict on a technical point between the Bombela Operating Company (BOC) and the trade union.
The CCMA will rule on whether a strike certificate will be granted, even though the union does not represent more than half the workers at the Gautrain.
Harris said although the union didn't currently represent the majority, they did when negotiations began earlier this year.
On Wednesday the CCMA could either instruct both parties to wait out the remaining 30 days to regain majority representation and continue negotiations in the interim or they could issue UNTU with a strike certificate.
This could see workers downing tools from Monday.
"Bombela is not prepared to negotiate in good faith and that leaves UNTU with no option but to ask our members to consider a strike even though it would have a more devastating effect on the already slow growing economy," said Harris.
He acknowledged that an increasing numbers of commuters relied on the Gautrain due to the petrol shortage.
Harris said Bombela succeeded in delaying a possible strike when the company alleged UNTU had "lost" more than 30 of its members since salary negotiations started in April.
"The company ignored UNTU's demands that it should conduct a forensic audit to prove the allegation," he said.
Spokeswoman Kesagee Nayager said Bombela had contingency plans should workers embark on a strike.
karishma.dipa@inl.co.za
The Star