Numsa embarks on Areyeng bus service strike in Tshwane
The City of Tshwane said in a statement it regrets the inconvenience that may be caused by the suspension of A Re Yeng Mamelodi Bus operations.
Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have embarked on a strike at the Tshwane Rapid Transit (TRT) in the City of Tshwane, also known as the Areyeng bus service.
The strike kicked off on Monday and Numsa says at the heart of the strike is that they demand that all workers, especially 64 fixed-term contractors must receive the same benefits and conditions as those who are permanent.
Numsa's Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says: "Our ultimate goal is for them to be made permanent, but in the meantime, there is no justification for the fact that they are earning far below the average wage, compared to permanent staff whose wages are determined by the main agreement of South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBC)."
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Hlubi-Majola says workers on fixed-term contracts do not enjoy the same rights and protection as permanent staff and this is unacceptable.
"Fixed-term contractors earn approximately R7500 per month whilst permanent staff earn R11 000. This is blatantly unfair and this is why our members are on strike," says Hlubi-Majola.
She adds: "The strike is likely to cause disruptions and we urge commuters to use alternative transportation. We want to apologise in advance to the community of Tshwane for the impact of the strike. We hope that commuters will understand that our members have no choice but to resort to strike action. We have engaged the employer numerous times, but so far they are stubborn and are refusing to budge."
Workers will be picketing at Belle Ombre branch next to Pretoria Zoo every day until the strike is resolved.
The City of Tshwane said in a statement it regrets the inconvenience that may be caused by the suspension of A Re Yeng Mamelodi Bus operations.
"The anticipated unrest by drivers will only affect the Areyeng Mamelodi Bus operations from 4am on Monday 18 November," according to the statement.
"All other A RE YENG Bus operations will be running as normal unless there is intimidation of some sort, then the city will withdraw those operations as well."
According to the city's MMC for Roads and Transport, Sheila Lynn Senkubuge the suspension the Mamelodi bus operations "is a move to ensure the safety of commuters, and to safeguard the City's assets."