Drawn-out bus strike finally over

ONE of the longest strikes ever in the bus industry has finally come to an end after a compromise agreement was reached between unions and employers late yesterday afternoon.

The last sticking point in the protracted battle for higher wages was the demand from bus drivers that they receive backdated pay from April 1.

In yesterday’s agreement, which was facilitated by the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council and the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, both parties eventually agreed that back pay would be paid from April 17, the day the industrial action started. The unions and employers also agreed on a 9% salary increase for the first year followed by 8% in the second year.

The five unions – including the South African Trade and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) – had initially demanded 12%. It was later dropped to 9%. Both parties had refused to back down for three weeks, with interventions by Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant and Transport Minister Blade Nzimande proving futile.

The industrial action by the more than 17 000 bus drivers nationwide also put the brakes on other bus services such as the Bay’s Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) and the MyCiti service in Cape Town.

IPTS head of security Thomas Ruiters said there was a good chance that the service would be operational today.

“As soon as we get some direction [from the operating company], then I’m sure the buses will be on the road – maybe in the afternoon,” Ruiters said.

Bargaining council general secretary Gary Wilson said there were hard lessons to be learnt from the strike.

He confirmed that the buses would be on the roads from today.

“This strike has been one of the longest ever experienced in the bus industry and the cost will be counted for years to come,” Wilson said.

“There will be a need for introspection after this strike as to the cost and the lessons learnt for it not to be repeated.”

Satawu spokeswoman Zanele Sabela said the unions were glad the strike was over.

Long-distance operators Greyhound and Citiliner said on social media that all routes would be operational from tomorrow.

There will be a need for introspection after this strike