Numsa set to down tools at Gautrain
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has been given the green light by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to down tools at the Gautrain.
The planned strike follows a breakdown in wage negotiations with the Bombela Operating Company (BOC), the private operator of the Gautrain.
Wage talks between Numsa and BOC deadlocked last month, prompting the union to lodge a formal dispute.
A CCMA mediation session held this week failed to resolve the standoff, leading to the strike certification.
Numsa has accused the BOC management of arrogance and intransigence, saying the company has refused to put forward a meaningful offer and instead tabled a 4.2% wage increase, which the union has outright rejected.
"Unfortunately, the CCMA facilitation by a senior commissioner did not yield any positive results," said Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, NUMSA national spokesperson.
"The arrogance of BOC management has made this unavoidable."
NUMSA members are demanding a 7% across-the-board wage increase, an increase in the housing allowance from R1300 to R1600, an increase in the transport allowance from R125 to R150, a night shift allowance of R50 per hour, up from R38 and a KPI bonus of R15,000, up from the current R9600.
The union argues that the Gautrain’s consistently high performance — with a 95% punctuality and availability rate, and over 7.9 million passengers annually — is largely due to the dedication of frontline workers.
"It is workers who ensure the train runs efficiently every day, not executives in air-conditioned offices. Their effort helped the Gautrain win the title of ‘Best Rail Operator of the Year in Africa’ for 2025,” added Hlubi-Majola.
The union says its demands are driven in part by the rising cost of living in South Africa. Recent electricity hikes of 12.5%, increased fuel prices, and higher consumer goods costs have put significant pressure on workers.
"Our members have no choice but to demand increases that protect them from these daily price hikes," said Hlubi-Majola.
While NUMSA says it would prefer to avoid a strike — citing the hardship of no work, no pay — it warns that a crippling shutdown of the Gautrain service is now a real possibility unless BOC improves its offer.
The union has also called on the Gautrain Management Agency and the Gauteng provincial government to intervene in the dispute.
"The ball is in the court of management. They need to put a meaningful offer on the table," Hlubi-Majola urged.
ALSO READ
