For Immediate Release
14th April 2023
SATAWU SIGNS 7% SALARY INCREMENT
The South African Transport and Allied Workers (SATAWU) wishes to inform its members and workers in the Passenger Sector and the members of the media that after lengthy and difficult salary increment negotiations, we have finally found a common ground and reached an agreement with the employers. Today the 14th of April 2023, the two parties have signed a year agreement proposed by the Secretary General of South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC), 2 week ago. The negotiations were very tough to a point where we deadlocked, and we were more than ready to go on strike as it seemed like it was the only option left.
The two parties have signed a salary wage increment of 7% for a year effective from the 1st of April 2023 to the 31st of March 2024. The employers and the labour also agreed that all the employees will receive 7% increment on all allowances for the 2023/2024 financial year.
During the negotiations SATAWU was very resolute and clear that it will NOT accept anything less than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as it is just an insult to the workers.
We were and still maintaining that anything below the inflation rate is not an increment. 7% is not enough however, it is better than the 3% and 6% that was offered by the employers.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) wishes to reiterate and to emphasize that the Primary Health care is a must, and we are not going to compromise when dealing with it in the Task Team level as it has been referred to the Task Team for further discussions and careful considerations.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union views the medical insurance matter as very insensitive. The lowest paid employee in the Passenger Sector is paid R7800 a month, now how do you expect an already underpaid worker to be able to afford medical aid? That is very impossible. The safety of our members and workers always comes first. For an example let’s say our member is injured while on duty, what is going to happen to the employee? The employers must be reasonable in this matter. Our members and workers are working very hard and are the ones bringing billions of rands to these companies daily.
The Union will keep its members and workers updated on the issue of primary health care as it is currently on the table, and we will make sure that it is dealt with as soon as possible as it is an emergency.
Issued by SATAWU
General Secretary Cde Jack Mazibuko: 082 951 1181
Deputy General Secretary Cde Anele Kiet: 071 021 1903
Head of Communications Amanda Tshemese : 062 945 7217