Port limps along as strike talks continue
WITH a 35% turnout of staff, the Port of Richards Bay is doing all it can to weather the storm as Transnet strike negotiations continue.
The ZO was informed on Wednesday that truck offloading and stockpiling is still taking place, manned by both Transnet Port Terminals and customers.
"There are currently 19 vessels at anchorage and 13 vessels at berth, and 10 are working," a spokesperson said.
"Customer updates and engagements are continuing on a daily basis."
Meanwhile, as the business community remains on edge, efforts continued on Wednesday to end strike action and restore normal operations at Transnet.
This as parties remained locked in talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to end the impasse over salary increases.
Unions, representing thousands of striking workers, again rejected an offer made during engagements facilitated by CCMA commissioners which began on Monday and ran until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Transnet, which had started negotiations with a 1.5% offer while unions demanded between 12 to 13.5%, had revised the offer to between 4% and 5%.
“UNTU rejected the offer and expressed the need for the Commissioner to explain to Transnet that UNTU will not even approach its members with such a ridiculous offer.
“It would seem that all Transnet has done is to change the way the offer looks, allocating different % increases in different ways. The actual improvement in salaries of the members is still very far away from a Consumer Price Index-related increase for the members,” UNTU shared in a statement.
The union, which represents the majority of workers, said they remain open to further talks as they‘eagerly await a salary increase offer that is aligned with the increased cost of living and economic challenges’ faced by employees.
Workers downed tools last Thursday, with workers affiliated to UNTU blocking roads in Richards Bay and Empangeni.
Four people were arrested in Richards Bay on the first day of the strike and are set to appear in court today (Thursday).
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) joined the strike on Monday this week.
While picketing rules have been established to ensure a peaceful strike,
Transnet warned against damage to infrastructure.
The entity said it had deployed additional security personnel and law enforcement services to protect assets and employees who are not partaking in the strike.
“Transnet acknowledges the right of employees to partake in the strike and reiterates that this must be done in a peaceful manner. within the confines of the picketing areas. Rules that have been agreed on with labour unions.
“The organisation appeals to communities and employees to assist in guarding and protecting critical infrastructure, and to exercise the highest levels of patriotism in this regard," Transnet said in a statement yesterday morning (Wednesday).
By the time of going to print, parties were still engaged in talks.
It would seem that all Transnet has done is to change the way the offer looks, allocating different % increases in different ways