The United National Transport Union (UNTU) today declared a dispute at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) against Bombela, the Operator of the Gautrain, after wage negotiations reached a deadlock yesterday.
Bombela refused to move from its offer of a 4,2% basic salary increase after the fifth day of wage negotiations with the assistance of an independent facilitator.
This comes after UNTU revisited its initial demand and presented our revised demand to the employer. UNTU members demand a 10% salary increase, R1 200 for housing allowance, a transport allowance of R800 per employee, a Night Work Travelling Allowance of R91 per shift, Night shift allowance of R45, Medical Aid to be paid 60% by the employer and 40% by the employee and an incentive bonus.
Besides the basic wage, Bombela is offering a R1.02 increase in the Housing Allowance to R800, no transport allowance but to increase the Night Shift Travelling Allowance from R31.84 to R63.68, a 50c increase in the Night Shift Allowance from R24.19 to R25.21 and to contribute 55% of the employee’s medical aid contribution.
The parties agreed on the principle of implementing an incentive bonus but are still discussing the terms and amounts.
Pieter Greyling, Deputy General Secretary of UNTU, says the basic salary offer of Bombela is an insult to UNTU members. “Bombela is well aware of the growing cost of living and the impact thereof on the lives of workers,” says Greyling.
UNTU is awaiting a date from the CCMA to conciliate the matter.
Issued on behalf of the UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media, Liaison and Communication Officer. For UNTU Press Statement phone 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za.
