The National Union Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) striking at Gautrain have amended their wage increase demand from 13% to 9%.
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spokesperson, Numsa has confirmed that the trade union is now asking for a 9% hike.
This comes after the trade union warned commuters that services may be interrupted due to the strike that would take place on July 8, 2024.
The trade union embarked on a strike with the management of the Bombela Operating Company (BOC) after its last meeting on June 11, 2024, with the company deadlocked.
Wage talks initially started on April 17, 2024, and there were two rounds of talks.
“When we went into wage talks we were at 13%, by the time we deadlocked we were at 9%. We have been willing to move our demands significantly in order to try to accommodate the employer.
“Unfortunately we have not seen the employer moving in the same way,” Hlubi-Majola said.
“They simply offered us 5.6% and they have [not] dealt [with] any other demands. They have not tried to sort of meet us. Unfortunately as long as that is the case we are going to remain very far from each other.”
Numsa said that it is the majority union with sole negotiating power at Gautrain.
The trade union also has outlined its other demands including:
– 60% of medical contribution by the BOC while employees will contribute 40%
– A housing allowance of R2,000 per employee per month
– Compensation for additional hours after the BOC changed its work-week from a five-day operation to a six-day operation. Going forward, workers must be paid the overtime rate for the sixth day, Numsa said.
– Equal treatment in terms of bonuses. BOC bosses and office workers are rewarded with a bonus but blue-collar workers are denied a guaranteed bonus. They have an incentive bonus, which requires the applicant to first qualify in order to be paid.
– Full-time shop stewards who can represent workers in disciplinary enquiries, grievances, among others.
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