Bus company silent as strike continues

THE failure of a critical arbitration meeting this week will leave thousands of Nelson Mandela Bay commuters stranded for yet another day as Algoa Bus Company employees continue their strike.

While a union boss yesterday laid the blame for the continuation of the strike squarely on the company – which it accused of failing to attend a vital Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration meeting on Wednesday – the company’s management did not respond to any requests for comment.

The company announced the suspension of all its transport services on Tuesday, and a company employee committed to a response from senior management by Wednesday.

Repeated attempts to speak to a number of the bus company’s directors since then were unsuccessful.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has expressed its concerns over the potential impact of the strike and called for a speedy resolution.

Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said yesterday the strike had the potential to af- fect the economy.

The municipality encouraged the parties involved to work speedily towards a solution and the earliest resumption of the bus service.

The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), one of at least three unions involved in the strike, has meanwhile lashed out at the company, blaming it for the continuation of the strike.

“The arrogant attitude of Algoa Bus Company has led to the employees continuing their strike indefinitely,” Satawu provincial secretary Honest Sinama said.

He said a meeting between company and Satawu officials scheduled to take place at the CCMA offices in Port Elizabeth at 1pm on Wednesday had failed to materialise.

He said because of the company officials’ failure to pitch up or give a reason for their no-show, the strike would continue.

Striking workers claimed the company failed to honour various agreements struck through the collective bargaining process, and that they have problems with certain employment conditions.

Satawu has also called for the removal of company chief executive Sicelo Duze.