Bus strike not over for everyone: Numsa
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa says its members will continue with a nationwide bus strike, that has left thousands of commuters stranded since Wednesday.
The union's Secretary General Irvin Jim briefed the media this afternoon, insisting the union will first consult its members tomorrow, before announcing a decision on the latest offer.
"We are a union that is a worker controlled union, we take mandates only from our members. We don't meet with government and business and make deals," says Jim.
Three other unions have signed a 9% general wage agreement, including the majority representative union, the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu).
ALSO READ: National bus strike: Hopes that unions accept current offer
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant expressed her relief at the decision by three unions to call off the strike.
"I have persuaded them [Numsa] to end the strike as well," says Oliphant, adding Numsa agreed to her calls but insists it will first consult workers.
She says she reminded Numsa of the clause in the Bargaining Council's constitution which says if the majority of trade unions in a bargaining process reaches an agreement, that will be the decision of the council.
Numsa meanwhile called on Oliphant to focus on forcing bus operators to comply with basic conditions of employment.
ALSO READ: National bus strike enters day two
Apart from a general wage increase, the union also raised concerns around conditions of employment.
1. The Employers refuse to pay workers double on public holidays, and time and half on Sunday. In the meeting with the Minister of labour, Ms Mildred Oliphant this morning, we called on her department to move swiftly and force all these bus companies to comply with the provision of the basic condition of employment, for workers to be paid double on public holidays, and time and a half on Sunday. This is a straight forward issue of compliance.
2. The Employers subject workers to 18 hour shifts on long distance journeys from Johannesburg to Cape Town and only pay them for 8 hours. The bus is driven by two drivers, and yet they don't get paid for all those hours. If they get injured in a bus they don't regard that as an injury on duty.
Jim says the union regrets having to put the public through the inconvenience but concluded his statement by saying: "As progressive communities they stand together, they understand the plight that is faced by these workers who are exploited by greedy owners of these bus companies."