Transnet back on track after strike

TRANSET announced that it's all systems go after an unprotected strike on Thursday and Friday at the port terminal (TRT) over incentives issues, which resulted in a queue of immobile trucks along the John Ross Highway.

A statement released by the state-owned entity on Monday indicated the remuneration dispute with employees had been resolved, and the port was back to its full complement for both multipurpose and dry bulk terminals.

‘Unfortunately, the current extreme weather conditions are hampering catch-up plans with limited activities taking place in both inbound and outbound operations,’ the statement read.

The rail, port, and Pipeline Company further appealed to hold back all RMT’s (road motor trucks) where possible while they attempt to alleviate the backlog.

However, speaking to a ZO journalist, a Transnet employee is adamant Richards Bay Transnet’s management has not held up their end.

The employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said the company promised them performance bonuses for the past nine months amounting to about R13 500 as per the payslip seen on the company’s system, but this was later removed.

‘We’ve received different amounts ranging from R7 500 to R8 000 which is not what we were expecting. However, since we have received something we said we should be reasonable and go back to work,’ he said on Monday.

He believes the union representative are not doing enough and their jobs are being given to contractors.

‘We will send our union representatives to query reasons for the different amounts of incentives that we have received and take a step further from there,’ he concluded.

At the time of going to print South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and United National Transport Union (UNTU) could not give a comment after numerous attempts to get their side of the story.