No buses this week – we are on strike!
10 April 2017
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), has issued a notice to inform Employers in the Bus passenger sector of its intention to strike. Despite the CCMA’s attempts to mediate between ourselves and the employer bodies, we have reached a deadlock, and therefore we have been forced to down tools. The Employers have arrogantly rejected our just demands for a living wage, and for improved working conditions. The Employer does not care about Workers, or the welfare of commuters and they are willing to plunge the industry into a crisis, days before the Easter long weekend, because of their insatiable greed.
These are our just some of our demands:
1. Like typical slave owners, Employers treat Workers like animals, driving them to work dangerously long hours, with no regard for family time, or rest and relaxation time. Bus drivers are often forced to work 16 hour shifts because of a system where the hours are ‘spread over’. There are numerous studies which have demonstrated the importance of achieving a good work/life balance, for the good of the Worker, and society as a whole. Workers must have adequate rest so that they can recuperate, and spend time with their families, (dare I remind you, Workers are human too). Instead, Employers are doing the exact opposite of what every study has demonstrated. Not only is this an abuse of Workers, it also poses a huge danger to commuters and the public at large.
2. We must be paid overtime, especially for work on Sundays and Public holidays at 1.5 times the normal wage rate, and double on Sundays, as stipulated by the labour law.