Bus drivers' strike to continue
Unions have vowed to intensify the national bus drivers strike, after negotiations with the employer at the CCMA reached a deadlock on Friday.
The five unions, Satawu, Numsa, Tirisano, Tawusa, and Towu, have been locked in negotiations with the bus employers for the past two days, with demands for a 12% salary increase.
However, negotiations reached a deadlock on Friday, after the employer was not able to meet workers' demands.
The employers are offering an 8% in the first year and 8.5% on condition that unions would drop core demands that include the dual driver payment, insourcing and the payment of night shift in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Satawu's coordinator Solomon Mahlangu says attempts to reach an agreement fell on deaf ears.
"We moved and made them an offer of giving them a two year agreement which offers the industry stability and an extra one percent to improve the mediator proposal would have amounted to a 9.5% in the first year and 9% in the second year.
"This is a position we told them that we were willing to take and recommend as a settlement to our members. Unfortunately, employers maintained a rigid stance and rejected all our movements and attempts to find a settlement,'' says Mahlangu.
Mahlangu members will intensify the strike action next week.
"In response, all unions collectively are left with no option but to resolve to intensify the strike and the current offer is rejected with the contempt that it deserves."