Intercape gets interdict

TRANSPORT STRIKE: UNIONS ORDERED TO STOP HARASSING COMPANY

Ilse de Lange

Ongoing threats of violence against the nonstriking drivers at one of the country’s largest passenger transport companies, Intercape, has resulted in an urgent interdict against five transport unions and their members, who are taking part in the national transport strike.

Judge Vivian Tlhapi today granted an interdict to stop Numsa, Satawu and three other transport unions and their members from interfering with the free movement and access of Intercape’s employees, drivers and passengers to their bus stops, ticket sales offices and coaches.

They were also interdicted from committing any criminal acts, including acts of violence, vandalism and damage, to Intercape’s premises and vehicles.

Intercape’s industrial relationship manager, Jan Augustyn, said in court papers none of their employees were members of the five unions but Intercape was bound by the collective wage agreements of the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council, which have been extended to nonmembers.

Intercape did not participate in ongoing wage negotiations as it was not a member of the Bargaining Council and had already finalised and implemented its own generous wage increase, which its employees have accepted.

Intercape’s employees were therefore not party to the national transport strike which commenced on April 18.

Augustyn said the unions and their members had a history of