Gautrain operator Bombela Operating Company (BOC) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) have signed a one-year, above-inflation 4.2% wage deal after employees voted against going on strike this week.
In a statement on Thursday, BOC corporate communications manager Lebogang Tsotetsi said the pay deal marked the conclusion of the wage negotiation process.
“This milestone follows a ballot held on Tuesday, July 15, in which the majority of Numsa-affiliated employees voted against strike action. The ballot outcome paved the way for the finalisation of the agreement, which had been under discussion since the offer was tabled on June 9 2025,” Tsotetsi said.
“The signing of this agreement reflects a shared commitment to constructive dialogue, mutual respect and the long-term success of our operations. We extend our sincere appreciation to all employees and union officials for their professionalism, patience and co-operation throughout the process.”
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: “Numsa is satisfied with the agreement because it was negotiated under very difficult conditions of a low March CPI rate of 2.7%. One of the benefits of this agreement is that all the allowances increased by more than the 4.25% across-the-board increase.”
The wage agreement came after parties recently reached consensus on four key demands, including on a housing allowance of R1,400 (now R1,300), transport allowance of R125 (R112), night shift allowance of R40/hour (R37/hour) and performance bonus of R10,016 (R9,612).
It also came after Numsa revised its wage demand from 7% to 6%, while BOC did not move from its 4.2% wage offer. SA’s inflation rate edged up from March’s 2.7% to 2.8% in April.
This spurred Numsa to embark on a balloting process at Gautrain on Tuesday over its 6% wage demand. The union, with more than 450,000 members, had recently called on BOC to table a meaningful wage offer to avoid an “imminent crippling strike” that could result in a “total shutdown of services”.
BOC is a private company contracted by Bombela Concession Company (BCC) to operate and maintain the Gautrain systems.
Wage talks between BOC and SA’s biggest union deadlocked in June and attempts by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to break the impasse failed recently, resulting in the CCMA issuing the union with a strike certificate.
Gautrain plays a pivotal role in the economy of Gauteng, which contributes nearly 40% to GDP. It connects Joburg to Pretoria, and both cities to OR Tambo International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest and largest airports.
Numsa embarked on a 17-day strike at Gautrain last year that culminated in the parties settling on a one-year 6.8% wage deal in July 2024, which recently expired.
The union had initially demanded a 13% wage increase last year that was later revised down to 9%, before the parties settled at 6.8%.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has said the provincial government would invest R120bn in the expansion of the Gautrain to the following areas: Soweto via Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria and Springs. The expansion project is expected to create 125,000 jobs.
Update: July 17 2025 — This article has been updated with Numsa’s comment.
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