Public Utility Transport Corporation (Putco) buses at the New Canada bus depot. Picture: Itumeleng English/Africa News Agency(ANA)
Johannesburg - The National Union of Metal Workers of SA (Numsa) has appealed to the national Department of Transport to stop subsidising Public Utility Transport Corporation (Putco) bus services should the company continue with plans to fire around 1 000 striking workers.
Putco workers have been on strike for a number of days now leaving hundreds of commuters no choice but to use alternative modes of transport.
The workers were given an ultimatum, to either stop the strike and make representations to the employer explaining why they should not be fired or lose their jobs.
The Star understands that workers were demanding a 6% escalation to their salaries and a back pay in bonuses.
Putco argued that the matter was before the labour court and that it would be inappropriate for workers to receive such an increase while the matter had not been resolved in court.
Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said workers were within their rights to demand monies owed to them. Jim said were frustrated and angry at the management of the bus company.
“We reject the intention by Putco to dismiss workers after they deliberately frustrated them the union is left with no choice except to call on the Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to intervene in the current impasse. The department of transport in our view cannot continue to pay and subsidise, that is anti-worker,” Jim said.
Putco took unions to court yesterday demanding that unions must try to convince workers to come back to work. Unions representing workers said they had told workers that the strike was a wildcat one but said workers have legitimate concerns.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said it was shocked at the threat to dismiss workers.
The unions spokesperson Amanda Tshemese said the transport sector could not afford further job losses following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tshemese said Satawu was negotiating with the employer but also indicated that the strike was illegal.
“The sector cannot afford job losses at all. A lot of our members and workers lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is also fighting against unemployment, poverty and hunger, we are pleading with the company,” Tshemese said.
The Star