Satawu warns of full-scale strike soon

The SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) has threatened to go on a full-blown strike this week if its demands are not met.

About 3 000 union members in the automotive sector have been on strike since Wednesday.

They went on strike after the union declared a dispute with the South African Motorferry Employers Association (Samfa) following wage talks over the past three months.

The union is demanding a 12% across-the-board wage increase over a two-year period while the employer is offering 10% for one year and 8% for the next two years.

Satawu spokesman Vincent Masoga said the workers have already begun picketing.

“We want to send a strong warning to the employers that their attempts to frustrate negotiations and stall progress in implementing the demands of workers will result in a full-blown strike that may affect their hopes of completing motor vehicle deliveries for Christmas and New Year sales.

“This may, sadly, have an effect on the economy, particularly on new vehicle sales and on retail markets, where consumers wish to spend their bonus earnings,” Masoga said.

Among the Satawu workers on strike are the drivers responsible for transporting vehicles to sales points.