Week-long Gautrain wage strike comes to an end
The Gautrain wage strike has come to an end following a breakthrough in negotiations.
Wage talks deadlocked when the National Union Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) wouldn’t back down from its 8% demand while the Bombela Operating Company offered only half.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) then stepped in to try and resolve the impasse.
Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager confirmed a deal was brokered with the labour union on Wednesday.
“We are pleased to advise that the strike, which commenced on 5 October, following wage negotiations that deadlocked between the Bombela Operating Company and NUMSA, has ended.
“NUMSA and BOC, with the support of the CCMA, have found a way in which the company’s offer of 4,1% can be supported with employees in the lowest salary bands being better protected through this difficult time,” said Nayager.
Nayager added the standard Gautrain train service is expected to resume on Friday.
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Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola welcomed the agreement.
It stipulates that lower income earners earning up to and including R8500 per month will receive a R900 per month increase.
Employees earning between R8501 to R20 000 per month will receive R850 per month increase while employees who earn more than R20 000 will receive a 4.1 per cent increase.
“Our members have agreed to resume their duties tomorrow morning (Thursday 15th October),” Hlubi-Majola added.
The increase will be backdated to July 1.
Week-long Gautrain wage strike comes to an end by Nokukhanya Mntambo on Scribd
