For Immediate Release
27th March 2023
SATAWU REJECTS THE ‘REVISED’ OFFER BY THE EMPLOYER
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) rejects the new offer tabled by the employer in the Passenger Sector. The negations started in January 2023 and has reached the deadlock after the employer could not meet the demands of the workers. The Union is demanding 9% increment across the board and other allowances in for the 2023-2024 and 8% increment across the board and other allowances in the 2024-2025 financial year, and to contribute on primary health care.
The employer has tabled a ‘revised’ offer of 6% increment for 2023-2024 financial year and nothing on primary health care. There is nothing revised here, the employer keeps on insulting the workers. We are not even going to consider it. The 30-day period to cool, will expire tomorrow, the 28th of March 2023. We will then on the 1st Of April 2023 give the employer a 48-hour notice that we will be embarking on a strike as the certificate of non-resolution was issued by the commissioner. The strike is legal and protected. If they are not coming back to the table with a meaning offer.
The employer is being greedy and selfish. When we were negotiating last year, we ended up signing a year agreement because the employer could not meet our demands claiming that the business isn’t doing so good, they are still trying to pick up from the lockdown and covid 19. Now there is no excuse at all. We are of the view that the business is doing so well and there is money, hence we are morning willing to go on strike, is the only language they hear.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union wishes to emphasize that going on strike is not our priority as we know what is at stake, and that it will affect our struggling economy. The Passenger Sector is bringing millions of rands to our economy. However, the employer leaves us with no choice but to go on strike, and we will do that until they give us a reasonable offer not this insult.
#PayTheWorkers
Issued By SATAWU
Geneal Secretary Cde Jack Mazibuko: 082 660 4793
Deputy General Secretary Cde Anele Kiet: 071 021 1903
Head of Communications Amanda Tshemese: 062 945 7217