UNTU seeks strike mandate after Transnet talks collapse

[File photo] Containers at one of SA’s ports

2 minutes

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) says it is still in the process of seeking a strike mandate from its members at Transnet. This follows a breakdown in negotiations between the union and the state-owned logistics company.

Earlier this week, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) process aimed at resolving the wage dispute ended without any agreement. Despite the impasse, UNTU says it remains open to engaging in meaningful negotiations under the CCMA’s guidance.

Workers represented by UNTU are demanding a 10% wage increase for a one-year period, along with a non-retrenchment clause. Transnet, in contrast, has offered a total wage increase of 17.5% spread over three years.

UNTU spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie says the union made several proposals during the talks, including a longer-term wage agreement to ensure stability.

“We made several presentations, including maybe suggesting a longer wage agreement between labor and management to ensure stability. And they really did not seem to consider this proposal at all. So, what that tells us as labor is that management doesn’t seem to be worried about the impact of an industrial action. Even from the statements, you could see that they are not taking into consideration the economic impact of such a strike,” said Plaatjie.

The union has not yet confirmed when a potential strike might take place, but has indicated the process of gauging worker support is ongoing.