Cape Town - Transnet employees were expected to go ahead with strike action related to deadlocked wage negotiations despite a dispute over whether the stoppage was protected in terms of the Labour Relations Act (LRA).
Transnet on Sunday said an unconfirmed number of employees were continuing with an “unprotected strike” following wage negotiations reached a deadlock.
The authority would be at the CCMA on Monday for conciliation discussions.
Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said they would be meeting with the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and the United National Transport Union (Untu) at the CCMA on Monday.
It was unclear how many employees would participate in the strike.
Shezi said: “Important to remember is that the strike is unprotected at this stage, based on a number of reasons, one of which is the fact that no picketing rules have been agreed.
“We will be at the CCMA with Satawu and Untu (this) afternoon for conciliation discussions and to discuss and agree on picketing rules.
“There are contingency plans in place to ensure that we can do whatever work is possible with the limited service we would be able to offer.
“We are continuing to appeal to our labour partners to accept the offer which we believe is fair and reasonable.”
In a joint statement Satawu and Untu said Transnet was “adamant to frustrate labour”, arguing that their strike was protected.
“Unfortunately, Transnet management is still adamant that they want to frustrate labour, union members and the application of the LRA requirements and has refused to engage on establishing picketing rules as required by the LRA.
“Furthermore, labour has expressed great concern regarding the media statements and communication issued by the employer to the members and the workers, regarding the legality of the strike action, threats of disciplinary action and dismissal of employees,” the statement said.
“We have warned the employer to cease this underhanded misleading activities and communication to our members.
“On 7 October, the labour court dismissed the urgent interdict application on the strike which Transnet alleges is unprotected.
“The strike is continuing on Monday as planned.
“However, as a result of the picketing rules not being agreed to by Transnet management, we are allowed to gather peacefully outside Transnet premises without picketing rules as parties are still in dispute,” the statement added.
In another statement, Untu said “robust engagements” were held on Wednesday last week.
Meanwhile, the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) said the wage negotiation impasse “is having a devastating effect on our economy – much worse even when compared to the ongoing energy crisis”.
Saaff chief executive Juanita Maree said: “As we have learned during the pandemic, it is absolutely essential for supply chains to be maintained at all times. Saaff research shows that logistics delays to the supply chain cost our economy between R100 million and R1 billion per day.
“However, when calculating the total economic cost, the final consequence of the devastating impact is far higher than that.”
International trade remained an essential driver of economic growth and development – and importantly, job creation, said Maree.
“Against the backdrop of low growth, high unemployment, and rising living costs, we are doing an injustice to ordinary South Africans by leaving this catastrophic situation unattended.
“Collectively, Saaff calls on government and labour to reach a swift resolution to the current impasse, as the time is ripe for decisive leadership on behalf of all constituencies.”
Cape Times
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