Bus strike to enter its second day
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says the nationwide bus strike will continue.
This after wage negotiations with employers broke down again.
Unions and bus operators were locked in talks this afternoon to try and find a solution to the impasse.
"We were hoping that the employer would engage meaningfully with our demands and put a fair offer on the table, but that wasn't the case," Numsa says in a statement.
It has rejected the 9% wage offer, insisting, among others, a double digit increase for bus drivers.
Numsa has now vowed to intensify its strike, saying members won't return to work until they are treated with dignity.
It says the employer's latest offer includes overtime pay for drivers, but only after they have worked a 16-hour shift, an increase of the night shift allowance by 10% and an increase 10 % for cross-border allowance.
"As Numsa we reject this offer with the contempt it deserves. The fact that employers are not willing to offer a double digit increase, and are unwilling to pay the co-driver for his or her services when they are not driving is simply a disgrace," the union says.
It says the overtime offer proves the employer intends to continue abusing its members, and putting their lives, as well that of passengers and motorists at risk by forcing drivers to work long hours.
Thousands of commuters have been left stranded as a result of the strike.