Unions are divided over a wage deal that was signed by the United National Transport Union (Untu) paving the way for the end of the Transnet strike that has been ongoing for weeks.
News broke yesterday that Untu had accepted a 6% wage offer from the employer, but the SA Transport and Allied workers Union (Satawu) said the deal was accepted in haste and was not representative of the needs of workers.
Satawu general secretary Jack Mazibuko said the decision in question not only disadvantaged but correspondingly undermined interests of the working class, low-earning employees, in particular.
“This demonstrates that the working class is not homogeneous but is divided from a stratification, theoretical, conscious, social and economic point of view,” he said.
Mazibuko said Untu members had commanded their leaders to sign a wage deal that was in favour of the employer increasing the amount of power over employees and putting workers in a position of abuse and exploitation.
“The no retrenchment clause was removed and the employer is empowered to restructure any areas of its business due to economic and or structural reasons. Irrespective of the employer’s commitment to comply with all provisions of its existing recognition agreement and prevailing legislation. Material reality dictates that the bane and whip of retrenchments will be directed to the rank and file,” Mazibuko said.
He said the deduction of lost wages in two instalments for workers on industrial action was not included in the agreement.
“This suggests that it will be based on the employer’s discretion to ensure employees meet their financial obligations owing to the no-work no-pay principle,” he said.
Satawu said the agreement was as follows: 2022-2023, 6%. 2023 to 2024 (5.5%) for 2024 to 2025 (6%).