Pretoria - Striking Metrorail workers, belonging to the United Transport & Allied Trade Union (UTATU) in the Western Cape, have vowed not to return to work until their demands are met.
This morning, UTATU and several other workers from the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) embarked on a strike, leaving thousands of train commuters stranded across the province.
Workers are protesting against the introduction of the rotational night shift roster by their employer.
Regional Manager of Metrorail Western Cape, Lindelo Matya said the principle of more productive shifts to increase operational and financial efficiencies was agreed to as part of wage discussions earlier this year.
He said the rotational shift system will allow Metrorail flexibility to extend its hours of operation and conduct critical maintenance work outside of peak hours, over weekends and at night.
Matya further said train operations staff arrived for duty today, but refused to operate trains. "We strongly advise that they return to work before the end of today, failing which they will be considered absent without leave. Metrorail management views the unannounced strike action as illegal and the 'no work, no pay' principle will apply," he said.
UTATU general secretary, Steve Harris, said they were fully aware of the impact the strike was causing to commuters, but it was also important for them to stand up and fight unilateral changes to their working conditions.
"The strike is not yet resolved and we cannot return to work until our demands have been met... You cannot go back to work when a sword in hanging over your head.
"It is our wish that a solution to this matter be reached soonest. We've been in consultation with the employer for some time and we've been failing to reach consensus on principles," he said.
Harris further claimed that the employer was not taking into consideration the safety of employees who will be working night shifts.
"As of now, the employer wants to introduce their unilateral changes without prioritising the safety of those who will be working night shift and we are against that," he said.
When BuaNews contacted the SATAWU office in the Western Cape, union leadership was locked in a meeting and could not comment.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) expressed their deep concern about the effect the strike would have on the clothing, textile and leather industry.
"We have taken note of the unexpected train strike in Cape Town today. We have been briefed this morning by SATAWU regarding the matter and have been advised that the dispute involves a unilateral attempt by Metrorail management to impose a new train shift roster on Metrorail workers.
"We call on Metrorail management to urgently meet with SATAWU to find an urgent resolution of this matter," said SACTWU.
A member of the mayoral committee at the City of Cape Town, Cllr Elizabeth Thompson said the strike had plunged transport in the city into chaos as more than half of Cape Town's commuters travel by rail.
Thompson who is responsible for transport and roads said: "the City condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions by the staff of Metrorail who has acted without consideration for the commuters.
"The time has come that rail transport should be regarded as an essential service and that no strikes should be allowed without adequate notice."
Metrorail has since urged commuters to use alternative transportation to and from work places. Valid weekly and monthly ticket train holders will be assisted to use the Golden Arrows Bus Service between 8am and 15:30.
Metrorail is also urging commuters to contact the toll-free transport information centre number 0800 65 64 63 for updates of train services.
