The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said that it had reached a deal with the Gautrain operator Bombela Operating Company (BOC) over wages.
The two parties have agreed on a one-year 6.8% wage agreement, according to Business Day.
Numsa had engaged in a strike that has lasted 17 days, but the deal brings the strike to an end.
Negotiations and demands
Numsa began discussions with Gautrain bosses back in April and were deadlocked over wages. The two entities had several meeting but could not come to a compromise on salary increases.
Numsa initially demanded a 13% increase in wages across the board.
“On medical aid, we want the company to contribute 60% and employees to contribute 40%,” the union said.
Numsa also wanted a housing allowance of R2,000 for each employee per month.
In terms of work days, Numsa explained that the company created a five-day operation and then it changed to a six-day work week without compensating workers for the extra day.
“Workers have not been remunerated for these additional hours and we are demanding that they must be compensated for this. And going forward, they must be paid the overtime rate for the sixth day,” Numsa said.
The union also wanted guaranteed bonuses for employees.
“The bosses at BOC gave themselves and office workers R22,000 each as a bonus. But blue-collar workers are denied a guaranteed bonus. They have an incentive bonus which requires that they must first meet certain laid down qualifying criteria, to be paid. This is unfair and we demand equal treatment for all workers,” Numsa explained.
Lastly, Numsa said that they wanted full-time shop-stewards so that they could represent workers in disciplinary enquiries over grievances.
The publication has reached out to Numsa to see what demands were met in terms of working hours, bonuses, and more leadership roles for Gautrain workers.
-IOL BUSINESS
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