Wage negotiations kicked-off yesterday with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) offering members of the United National Transport Union (UNTU) a 5, 7% salary increase for 2018.
UNTU will respond to this demand this morning when negotiations at the Prasa Bargaining Forum continue in Johannesburg.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says although the Union does not agree with the first offer placed on the negotiation table, it is committed to collective bargaining and remains positive that the parties will be able to reach an agreement to the benefit of UNTU members, the majority of employees working for Prasa, before the end of the month.
“For UNTU, the preservation of jobs in Prasa remains key and the Union will demand a no retrenchment clause in the wage agreement. This agreement will also only be concluded for one year as our members are not interested in a multi-term agreement in the light of the fluctuating economic times we find ourselves in,” says Harris.
According to Harris, Prasa must take into consideration that its employees will bear the brunt of this year’s budget, adding another 1% to value-added tax (VAT) from 14% to 15% and an increase fuel levy of 52c a litre. “These tax increases will hit the poorest of the poor the hardest,” says Harris.
UNTU remains committed to turn-around strategies at Prasa aimed at adding value to customers to the benefit of the Unions members.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Statements phone 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za.
