Offer of 4% rise ‘an insult’

THE NATIONAL Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) yesterday said it felt “insulted” by the 4 percent wage offer made by the employers in the bus passenger sector and called on them to take wage talks seriously. This comes as transport unions and employers in the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council sat down for the first round of wage negotiations last week. The employer associations engaging with Numsa in the negotiations are the Commuter Bus Employers Organisation, which represents Putco, Mgqibelo, Mayibuye, Buscor and Golden Arrow buses. The South African Bus Employers’ Association represents Megabus, Mega Express, Bojanala, Gauteng Coaches, Itereleng, Atamelang, Autopax, Great North Transport, Rea Vaya, Phola Coaches and Greyhound. Workers in the passenger bus sector are demanding a 30 percent wage increase across the board and a basic salary of R15 000 a month. They are also demanding a R1 500 housing allowance and R1 200 sleeping out allowance. – ANA