Traffic flows despite toll road strike

Monday, March 29, 2010

Nelspruit - Unionised workers who man the toll gates along the N4 highway in Mpumalanga embarked on an indefinite wage strike and toyi-toyed on Monday after their demands for a 17 percent wage increase failed.

At a previous meeting, members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) were instead offered a seven percent wage increase at a meeting between Satawu representatives and toll road company, Trans African Concessions (TRAC).

"We were not satisfied with the outcome of that meeting and hence we decided to go on strike today," said Satawu provincial secretary, Vusi Ntshangase.

"It will go on until our demands are met. The workers want 17% increase in their wages, and TRAC is prepared to pay only 7%. This is an insult to the workers," he added.

TRAC spokesperson, Anita Heyl, said Satawu members started the strike at 6am on Monday, but said toll gates were operating normally.

"Operations are running normally, and there are no delays in traffic," she said.

TRAC CEO, Arthur Coy said both casual workers and permanent staff who don't belong to the union were keeping the toll gates running.