No accord as strike enters 2nd week, Cosatu wants closure

THE national bus strike that has hobbled hundreds of thousands of commuters reached its second week and there is still no agreement between unions and employers.

Despite the intervention of the ministers of Transport and Labour, Blade Nzimande and Mildred Oliphant, respectively, bus drivers have still not agreed to go to work.

The unions had initially demanded a 12% across the board (ATB) wage increase which they lowered to 9% for the first year and 8.5% for the second year.

Employers put a counter-offer of 9% for the first year and 8% for the following year. The increases would be paid as from May 1 instead of April 1.

The Transport and Omnibus Workers Union (Towu) said negotiators, in an attempt to reach an agreement, made concessions without getting a mandate from members which they hoped they would be able to convince union members on.

Some of the concessions included the two-year agreements of 9% and 8.5% for 2018 and 2019, respectively. In addition, a night shift allowance which will increase according to the ATB – for first year it will be available for those who work 8pm to 6am and 6pm to 6am in the second year.

A task team will be set up under the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to deal with the issue of dual drivers, insourcing, train drivers and negotiation protocols.

Golden Arrow Bus Services transports 230 000 people daily and MyCiTi 72 000.

The City of Cape Town said the MyCiTi service remained suspended until further notice. “After nearly two weeks of strike action, it is still uncertain when the deadlocked wage negotiations will be resolved.

“The lock-out instituted by the Vehicle Operating Companies operating the MyCiTi service remains in place until further notice.

“Regretfully, there will be no MyCiTi trunk or feeder services available for as long as the strike and lock-out continue,” said Mayco member for Transport and Urban Development Brett Herron.

MyCiTi commuters were urged to make alternative travelling arrangements.

Monthly MyCiTi ticket packages will be extended equal to the number of days the strike action lasts.

Meanwhile, Cosatu has called for an urgent settlement. Provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said: “The strike is causing some harm to the greedy bus company owners, but more harm to commuters who have no transport now.

“Cosatu calls on the parties to reach that agreement and for the bus service to be restored by today.

“The continued strike in the context of the dysfunctional train system is causing income loss and threat to companies’ productivity in Cape Town.”