Gautrain workers start pay strike

Gautrain commuters will have to find alternate transport today as a United National Transport Union (Untu) strike is expected to start. This is after the union and Bombela Operating Company (BOC), which operates the Gautrain, could not agree on wage increases last week.

According to Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager, on July 17 the BOC offered an increase of 7% across the board (on basic salary and allowances), plus medical aid contribution of 50% and a collective bonus target of R8 000 per employee per year [which equates to an overall increase of the bargaining unit of 8.6%] or an increase of 8.5% across the board (on basic salary and allowances), as well as medical aid contribu- tions of 55% but without a bonus [equates to an overall increase of the bargaining unit of 8.4%].

The union wants a 10% salary increase‚ a housing allowance of R1 600‚ a transport allowance of R800‚ night shift pay to be increased by 10% and a R20 000 incentive bonus for all employees.

Yesterday, the union’s general secretary, Steve Harris, said: “BOC claims it pays all profit from the Gautrain to a French-owned company, but won’t disclose what the profits are.

“Most BOC employees can’t afford housing as they don’t qualify for RDP houses as they earn above the threshold, but they don’t qualify for or cannot afford a bond to buy a home. The earliest shift starts at 3am and those working these shifts can’t afford to rent in the mostly upmarket areas next to the Gautrain.”

Nayager said BOC would try to implement a reduced service.