The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is expected to table a proposal on Monday aimed at breaking the wage impasse between Transnet and one of its largest unions, the United National Transport Union (Untu).
The union warned that it would issue a notice of industrial action if there were no revised offer.
“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, in line with the overwhelming mandate secured from its members,” Untu national spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie 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. Untu will announce the way forward to the media in due course.”
Members of the union, representing 26,018 workers at Transnet, voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a process that started on April 15. The vote followed its rejection of a three-year wage agreement that rival SA Transport and Allied Workers Union had accepted for increases of 6% in the first and second years and 5.5% in the final year of the agreement.
Untu is demanding a one-year 10% wage increase for 2025/26, a R2,500 housing allowance, R2,500 medical aid allowance and the removal of a cap on overtime. Inflation is hovering at about 3%.
A three-day section 150 process by the CCMA failed to break the wage impasse last week.
Plaatjie said the union participated in the process in good faith and presented proposals that prioritised labour stability, job security and Transnet’s sustainability.
“We had hoped that Transnet and its mandate-givers would seriously consider these proposals, particularly given the potential economic impact of industrial action,” Plaatjie said.
Strike action could disrupt port operations as the government tries to turn around the cash-strapped state-owned rail and ports operator. Transnet was hollowed out and repurposed to serve a corrupt politically connected elite during the state capture years.
Transnet reported a R2.2bn loss for the six months to end-September, and interest on its R100bn debt consumes R1bn a month, with analysts saying the company would require financial assistance from the state to fulfil its role as a mainstay of the economy and retain access to capital markets.
Transnet was approached for comment, which will be added once received.
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