Johannesburg - The City of Joburg said it had prepared safety measures for bus drivers who were not willing to participate in today’s Metrobus strike.
Spokesperson for the Joburg Metrobus, Goodwill Shiburi, said security measures had been put in place in case the bus strike became violent for both working drivers and commuters.
This comes after the city was given a notice to strike by a partially recognised union, the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of SA (Demawusa).
The union is demanding an 18% salary increase, 14th cheque and R150 transport allowance, among a list of 28 demands, for their members.
The Star understands that Demawusa only has nearly 100 members.
“They want 18%; this is a bad time economically, they even want a spread over allowance, when buses are busy during the morning peak.
“When they are not busy and waiting for the afternoon peak, they want R50,” Shiburi said.
He said there would be bus services, however, cautioned drivers and commuters to be alert of developments.
“For those that are working, there are safety precautions and we have agreed with Demawusa about the picketing area and the lines of engagement are clear as to what should happen and how it should happen,” added Shiburi.
Meanwhile, the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) said its members would report for work.
The union said it had nothing to do with the strike and that it was one of two legally recognised unions at Metro bus.
The Star understands Demawusa is a breakaway union of Samwu.
Samwu Gauteng secretary-general, Bafana Zungu said the union was shocked to receive a warning letter from city lawyers over the illegal strike action of the unions.
“Our members will be at work. We have heard the rumours of the strike. I have received correspondence from their lawyers. I asked them to show me a dispute and notice to strike from Samwu but they could not do that. I told them they are wasting my time.”
Zungu said Samwu was the biggest union at Metrobus with more than 700 workers.
He said the smaller unions were the ones who had proposed a strike.
“We are aware that the strike was called for by a union that was not even recognised.”
The Star