Pretoria- Strike action over wages at parastatal Transnet is set to continue despite a new wage offer, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) said on Sunday.
Speaking to BuaNews, Satawu spokesperson Jane Barrett, said of the union's 19000 members working at Transnet, it expects a 100 percent turnout at the commencement of its strike tomorrow.
This after the union together with the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) declared a dispute with the transport parastatal over wages.
Transnet which initially offered an eight percent wage increase across the board later (on Friday) changed the offer to 11 percent. The unions were demanding a 15 percent wage increase.
Transnet said the latest offer was both "a generous and fair wage".
"The problem with Transnet's new offer is that it is misleading, the previous offer [of eight percent] was an increase for things like medical aid and housing allowance however with this new offer there are some reductions . We will however present the offer to our members tomorrow but our negotiation team does not recommend the new offer," she said.
Utatu on the other hand said it had not signed the new offer adding that it will present it to its members. Union general secretary, Chris De Vos, said if its members reject the offer it will join Satawu on Wednesday.
"We believe it's a very good offer under the current financial position of the company and the country and we will do our utmost best to "sell" this to our members as our country cannot afford a strike of this magnitude," he said.
Monday's strike said Barrett was not a Metrorail strike (Transnet Freight Rail owns some of the stations). She however added that some areas may be affected by the strike action.
Meanwhile Transnet said it has contingency plans in place and is working together with the South African Police Force to ensure the safety of non-striking workers.
"The company's command centres throughout the country are geared to move priority commodities to ensure that the economy runs with minimal disruptions. However, Transnet is particularly concerned about the impact of a divided labour movement, and its ability to manage discipline during a strike.
"We have comprehensive contingency plans in place to minimize the impact, and a full-scale recovery plan to prepare for a speedy recovery to normal operations after the strike", said the parastatal's Pradeep Maharaj chief negotiator and Group Executive of Human Resources.
