NUMSA signs 4.25% wage deal with Gautrain
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has signed a one-year wage agreement with the Bombela Operating Company, effectively averting a strike at Gautrain that was due to disrupt services.
The agreement follows weeks of tense negotiations and a looming strike threat.
Earlier this month, NUMSA had warned of imminent industrial action, accusing Bombela of tabling an inadequate offer in the face of rising living costs.
At the time, the union was demanding a 7% increase along with enhanced housing and transport benefits. The union had been granted a strike certificate and gave Bombela 48 hours’ notice of its intention to down tools.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday and valid from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, includes a 4.25% across-the-board wage increase, backdated to the beginning of the month.
In addition to the salary hike, key worker benefits have been improved:
- Housing allowance raised from R1,300 to R1,400
- Night work/transport allowance increased from R112 to R125
- Night shift allowance adjusted from R38 to R40 per hour
- KPI bonus boosted by 4.25% from R9,600 to R10,016
NUMSA welcomed the outcome, describing it as a victory in a difficult economic climate.
"We are satisfied with the agreement because it was negotiated under very difficult conditions of a low March CPI rate of 2.7%," said NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
"One of the benefits is that all allowances increased by more than the 4.25% wage hike."
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