Government has appealed to employer and employee representatives involved in the bus strike negotiations to speedily work towards finding a resolution.
The nationwide bus strike has entered its sixth day and trade unions have called for intensified strike action.
“Transport is an important sector in growing our economy… Notwithstanding the fact that constitutional rights provide workers right to strike, would to appeal that they do it within the law.
“We appeal for tolerance, particularly to the taxi industry to allow commuters to use lift clubs during this period and other forms of transport,” said Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) acting Director-General Phumla Williams.
The bus strike, which started last week, has left thousands of commuters stranded.
Workers initially demanded a 12% increase and employers offered 7%.
Workers have since rejected an offer of 8% for the first year, and 8.5% in the second year, instead proposing a 9.5% increase in the first year and 9% for the second year.
The South African Transport Workers and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) announced last week that they will be intensifying strike action this week. Last week, negotiations deadlocked with unions refusing to back down from their demands.
Other issues on the table include dual-driver payments, night shift times and the insourcing of workers. – SAnews.gov.za
