UNTU prepares for possible strike as Transnet wage negotiations reach deadlock
Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers
Transnet's ongoing wage negotiations have reached an impasse, confirming fears of looming industrial action by workers as the United National Transport Union (UNTU) made a clear statement on Friday.
After three days of mediation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) through the section 150 of the Labour Relations Act, UNTU reported that no progress had been made, compelling them to consider striking if their demands remained unmet.
On Thursday, UNTU completed a ballot process with its members that disclosed a consensus to mobilise for industrial action should the wage negotiations fail. The union said the CCMA has committed to present a revised salary/wage offer by close of business on Monday.
'If no revised offer is forthcoming, UNTU will issue Transnet with a 48-hour notice of industrial action,' it said in a statement.
UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, said the majority of ballots cast by the majority union's members was in favour of taking to the streets to demand a wage increment that reflected the deepening economic crisis facing Transnet employees and job security.
Van Vuuren said the three-day S150 CCMA intervention facilitated by two senior commissioners failed to break the Transnet salary/wage 2025/26 impasse; therefore, the status quo remained in terms of this deadlock.
'The proceedings spanning over three days concluded on Thursday, without the parties reaching consensus on a revised salary/wage increase offer. UNTU participated in the S150 process in good faith, fully committed to securing a fair and sustainable outcome amid the rising cost of living and the ongoing operational and structural challenges facing Transnet,' he said.
UNTU is demanding a 10% wage increase for 2025/26, a R2 500 housing allowance, R2 500 medical aid allowance, and the removal of a cap on overtime from Transnet. The union has also rejected a proposed wage increase of 6% over two years and 5.5% in the third year.
Van Vuuren said that throughout the process, UNTU tabled a variety of salary/wage proposals for Transnet's consideration.
'We are confident we are in line with the economic and financial pressures facing our members, with a high emphasis on job security while at the same time paying due cognisance to the challenges Transnet faces. The proposals, which UNTU presented, cannot be disclosed at this time due to the confidential nature of the S150 process,' he said.
'We had hoped that Transnet and its mandate-givers would seriously consider these proposals, particularly given the potential economic impact of industrial action and the value of securing a longer-term agreement securing labour peace during this critical time in Transnet's turnaround into a sustainable self-funded entity.'
Van Vuuren said that the resolution of the deadlock now rested with the CCMA, which he said has committed to present a revised salary/wage offer by close of business on Monday.
'Should no revised offer be forthcoming, UNTU will issue Transnet with a 48-hour notice of industrial action. This could potentially result in industrial action commencing on Thursday, 22 May 2025, in line with the overwhelming mandate secured from its members,' he said.
'UNTU has made the necessary logistical preparations to ensure our readiness for industrial action. If a revised offer is received, UNTU will initiate a structured mandating process to determine if our members accept or reject the tabled revised salary/wage offer.'
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has backed UNTU as its affiliate in the wage negotiations with Transnet.
'Should the intervention by the CCMA fail and UNTU members find themselves compelled to embark on industrial action to secure fair wages, Fedusa will support them,' said the federation.
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