Cape Town - Commuters inconvenienced by the bus drivers’ wage strike starting on Friday can find some relief in an extended peak time train service from Metrorail and more minibus taxi trips.
“We are more than ready to assist passengers affected by the strike. Santaco met to discuss the matter. We will help get people from all areas to work and back,” SA National Taxi Council provincial secretary Mandla Mata said.
Metrorail regional manager Mtuthuzeli Swartz said: “Although this is short notice, we’ll extend the peak periods. We ask our regular commuters to travel a bit earlier because of the extra numbers. People must also make arrangements with their employers if they think they will be late.”
He said security at stations would be increased.
Bus driver unions have demanded an 18 percent increase while employers offered 6.5 percent.
The current minimum salary was about R3 900.
Unions notified employers on Tuesday they would strike on Friday, but on Thursday Transport and Omnibus Union (Towu) spokesman Tony Franks said it would suspend strike action.
Towu awaited the outcome of SA Transport and Allied Workers Union’s consultation with workers about a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration settlement proposal of a 9 percent wage hike, Franks said.
But spokesman Assaria Mataboge said while his union’s members would be consulted about the proposal, the strike would proceed on Friday.
“We’ve been planning since Tuesday to strike on Friday. It is not easy to just call off the strike of about 18 000 members,” he said.
Mataboge said Satawu members were asked to strike peacefully.
Having pickets and demonstrations were up to the union’s branches, he said.
Golden Arrow Bus Service spokesman John Dammert said the company’s decision to suspend its service remained, despite Towu’s suspension of their strike.
“These talks are at a national level and a number of unions are involved. As things stand there will be no bus service (on Friday),” he said.
Cape Times