Strike looms at Gautrain

16 June 2023

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has deadlocked with the Gautrain management as part of the Bombela Operating Company. NUMSA was engaging on wage talks with the management to negotiate a new wage agreement.

NUMSA demands are as follows:

1. 8% Across the board increase
2. A one year agreement valid from the 1^st of July to the 30^th of June 2024 
3. Housing allowance to increase to R1750
4. Transport allowance to increase from R100 to R125 per shift or R2100 per month for all shift workers whether they worked or not.
5. Night shift allowance of R38 per hour
6. Medical aid contribution of the employers should be 55% and the employees contribute 45%
7. KPI bonus of R15 000
8. No retrenchment for the period of the agreement 
9. Status quo to remain on train rides for all employees coming to work and going back home.
10. The Fare evasion policy must be abolished.

The reason for the dispute is that the company wants to abolish the staff cards which allow workers to ride the Gautrain for free when they are traveling to and from work. The decision to abolish the Staff Cards is outrageous because our members cannot afford to pay to use the Gautrain because it is really expensive, hence the need for staff cards. This benefit has been in place since 2013 and workers were allowed to utilize the train without paying. The company also wants to abolish the housing allowance which enables workers to access housing. Without it, they would not be able to buy their own homes. Gautrain proposed removing it so it can be built into the wages, but our members reject this.

We condemn the decision to terminate the staff cards in the strongest terms. There is no rationale for refusing workers the right to use the trains for free, because the train is their tool of work. Without the dedication and sweat of our members the Gautrain would not be able to operate. The Gautrain is costly and workers cannot afford to pay for it on their own. The housing allowance must be re-instated.

NUMSA has been issued with a strike certificate and on the 28^th of June we will be balloting our members in preparation for the strike. We have requested a meeting with management on the 28^th and we hope to avert strike action. We would rather negotiate than strike and we urge them to come back to the negotiating table, so we can resolve this dispute. Failure to do so means that unfortunately, strike action is inevitable.

Aluta continua!

Issued by Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary, 16 June 2023