Pretoria- Talks between the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and labour are continuing this morning at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) with a new wage offer on the table.
"A new offer of a 10 percent across the board increase has been presented to the unions. It has been accepted by both unions [United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu)]," Prasa acting CEO Tumisang Kgaboesele said on Wednesday.
The two unions downed tools on Monday leaving thousands of commuters stranded over wage increases. The unions had been demanding a 16 percent across the board increase. Prasa had been offering an increase of eight percent.
Talks at the CCMA lasted until midnight yesterday and began again this morning.
"We confirm that workers will get four months maternity leave and we are committed to compensating those who will be worse off due to some allowances that will be done away with ," said Kgaboesele adding that the night shift allowance will be retained.
The two sticking points that were being discussed today were the rotational shifts as well as new conditions of service.
Satawu National Sector Coordinator Tinzi Lubabalo confirmed the offer made to unions saying that the offer still has to be put to union members.
"We are happy the employer has committed. The ten percent is acceptable however we will make a pronouncement at 2pm," said Lubabalo.
Meanwhile there have been some new developments in the Transnet, Satawu and Utatu wage dispute.
Utatu general secretary Chris de Vos said that labour was today considering a draft agreement with Transnet at the CCMA. This after labour received an invitation from Transnet to engage in talks after initial mediation failed.
In that dispute Satawu and Utatu were demanding a 15 percent wage increase while Transnet was offering eight. Transnet had since upped the offer to 11 percent while unions scaled down their demand to 13 percent.
Transnet is expected to issue a statement later today on developments.
