UNTU TO TAKE PRASA TO COURT TO PROTECT ITS EMPLOYEES
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) will approach the Western Cape High Court, in Cape Town for a special date to apply for an interdict against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), to force the state-owned enterprise to protect its employees against criminals.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says the court is the Unions last resort in its fight to protect its PRASA membership, especially train crews, against increasing senseless violent attacks from criminals who know that they are defenceless soft targets.
“UNTU has tried all other avenues to convince PRASA’s management to adhere to their obligation as an employer; to comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Constitution, by providing a safe working environment for our members, but to no avail.
“Over the past eight months, since the execution of train driver Piet Joubert in broad daylight at the Netreg-Station, UNTU have had talks with various PRASA managers at the highest levels including; Pearl Munthali, Collins Letsoalo, Popo Molefe – the Chairperson of the PRASA board, Joe Mojapelo – Special Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Mkhacani Godfrey Maluleke – Chief Director: Rail operations & Oversight. All of which made empty promises regarding the safety of our members,” says Harris.
In a desperate attempt, UNTU and its federation – the Federation of Union of South Africa (FEDUSA), approached the Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to urgently intervene to protect a crucial National Asset: passenger rail transport.
The Unions asked Ramaphosa to convene and chair a task team consisting of the highest leadership levels of Government, represented by the Ministers of Finance, Transport, Police, Small Business, FEDUSA, UNTU, and PRASA management to urgently address railway safety. Despite informal discussions with Dennis George (General Secretary of FEDUSA) concerning the issue, Ramaphosa is yet to respond.
“We are both stumped and discouraged at the fact that there is no understanding or will, by all the stakeholders, about the dangerous working conditions our members must endure. UNTU believes that the only way we might be able to get the stakeholders to act, is through a court order in which PRASA employees can withhold their services until their employer guarantees their safety on duty,” says Harris.
On Sunday UNTU reported on the latest incident after injured train driver, Willem Spence (52), drove with pieces of glass in his eyes from the Du Toit-railway station to Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, after an attacker through a brick which shattered the front window of his train. Some of the pieces of glass also cut his face and arms.
For more enquiries phone Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
