Johannesburg - Gautrain workers affiliated with the United National Transport Union (Untu) are set to go on strike next week after a deadlock in wage negotiations could not be resolved.
This comes after Bombela, which operates the Gautrain, reportedly offered members an 8.5% salary increase across the board but did not want to pay employees an incentive bonus.
Untu as a result, confirmed it would give Bombela 48 hour notice that its members will embark on a protected strike.
Steve Harris, general secretary of Untu, said members voted in favour of a strike at a mass meeting held in Midrand.
"The mass meeting was to obtain a mandate from Untu members after the Commission for Arbitration, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), issued the union with a strike certificate last week after the deadlock in the wage negotiations could not be resolved.
Harris added that: “In accordance with South Africa’s Constitution and labour legislation, Untu members at the Gautrain has no alternative than to embark on a protected strike to try and force their employer to agree to their demands. It is Untu’s last resort".
Untu is demanding the following: An basic salary increase of 10%, R1 600 for housing allowance; R800 of transport allowance or staff card usage for office workers; NWTS of R64 per hour; an increase of night shift allowance by 10%; medical aid contribution of 55% employer / 45% employee and incentive bonuses of R20 000 for all employees
The union said the strike would commence on July 30, 2018 and apologised to commuters who will be badly affected by the strike.