Johannesburg - Cosatu has thrown its weight behind the strike by Teti Traffic employees contracted to the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral).
The workers have been protesting outside Sanral offices in Midrand for three days, vowing to continue with the action until their demands are met.
The federation said it hoped talks between its affiliate, SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and Teti Traffic management at the Commission of Conciliation Arbitration and Mediation (CCMA) will yield positive results.
In a statement, Cosatu also lashed out at Sanral and called on the agency to swiftly resolve the strike just as it “bullies” Gauteng motorists for e-toll payments.
“They cannot sit idle on the sidelines when they have to intervene and call themselves an interested party, while workers are on the streets demanding an increase to their remuneration,” said Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla.
However, Sanral has distanced itself from the salary disputes stating that the workers are not directly employed by the agency.
“It is not acceptable that workers have not received a salary increase in since 2012, while Sanral has been wasting money sending Gauteng motorists legal summons demanding that they pay for e-tolls,” Said Pamla.
Talks at the CCMA between the union and Teti Traffic representatives were halted on Wednesday, because the company’s representatives claimed they did not have a mandate from their bosses.
Discussion will resume on May 13.
Labour Bureau