Cape Town - Lengthy negotiations at the CCMA between Transnet and the South African Transport and Allied Workers (Satawu) and United National Transport Union have led to an agreement on picketing sites, but the parties remain far apart on the issue of wages.
The workers are striking for a wage increase of between 12% and 13%; port and rail company Transnet tabled a 3% wage increase.
In Cape Town, the agreed picket sites are the Marine Drive Plaza entrance of the Transnet National Ports Authority and Transnet Port Terminals and at Transnet Park.
In Saldanha the sites are the Saldanha main port entrance and the Saldanha A Yard parking area on Crex Road.
After the talks, which adjourned in the early hours of yesterday, Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, who was part of the meeting, said: “Despite the efforts of the CCMA, the parties were unable to reach each other.”
Nxesi said the impact the strike would have on the economy was immeasurable and as such it was urgent to resolve the issues.
He said the economy was still trying to recover in terms of exports and he would be monitoring the progress of the talks.
All the parties to the negotiations are considering alternative proposals and will reconvene today.
Satawu deputy president Nkoketse Sepogwane said they continued to be more than willing to sit down with Transnet management, as long as the employer tabled a better offer.
Sepogwane said: “Embarking on a strike is not a priority because we are aware of the consequences and the negative impact the strike will have on the economy. However, the union had no choice as the employer was not offering what the workers wanted.”
He said the union had written to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, as the shareholder representative of Transnet, to intervene urgently to avert a full-on strike.