“We cannot cope as the cost of living is too high,” said workers of Transnet in Saldanha.
Workers from Transnet in Saldanha gathered in large numbers and joined the nationwide strike last week to take issue with their wages. Workers gathered at the Transnet Saldanha premises to express their grievances.
According to a statement from Transnet they are aware of the wage strike. Ayanda Shezi, a spokesperson for Transnet, said since tabling an initial offer Transnet has made concerted efforts by improving its wage offer a further four times, despite the operational and financial challenges facing the organisation, understanding fully the impact any strike action would have on employees, industry and the economy.
Transnet put a 3% to 4% offer on the table, which workers were not happy with. According to Ply Wevers, who has worked for Transnet for 14 years, workers want a 13,5% increase.
He told Weslander life expenses are just too much and ongoing inflation affects the running of a home, medical costs, food prices, among other life realities. “Households simply can’t keep up, so it is important that we get a 13,5% wage increase,” Wevers said.
Transnet and trade unions, such as the United National Transport Union and South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, met at the offices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday 10 October to begin conciliatory talks.
Wevers said workers are willing to negotiate, but a 13,5% would make life so much easier. Negotiations are still ongoing.
