Pretoria- Strike action over wages at transport parastatal, Transnet, will continue said the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) on Tuesday.
"The strike will continue until there are negotiations to settle," said Satawu policy researcher Jane Barrett.
Union members downed tools yesterday after the union rejected the parastatal's new wage offer of an 11 percent across the board increase made last week. The union is demanding a 15 percent increase across the board.
Day one of the strike resulted in the arrest of 13 protesters in Durban. According to Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu the protesters face charges of public violence, assault and intimidation. The parastatal has instructed its lawyers to prepare disciplinary charges against those behind the violence and intimidation.
"No effort will be spared in our bid to protect our employees and assets during this protest action. Once again, we call on the leadership of organised labour to instill discipline among members and to respect the rights of those employees who choose to work," he said.
The union however said it was investigating the matter.
"We are still trying to get information on what happened, however this is not acceptable," said Barrett adding that the turnout for the first day of the strike was better than what they had expected.
Dludlu said unions were responsible for discipline and order during a strike and that picketing rules have been agreed to between management and the union in all regions.
Transnet added that it has managed to minimise the impact of the strike. It also said that the principle of no work no pay will apply.
The union and management are set to meet this afternoon.
"It will not be a negotiation meeting but rather a report back," said Barrett.
The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), the other union at the parastatal, was still deciding on whether to sign the new offer.
