Talks between striking South African unions and the transport drivers employers association are at an impasse following a rejection by labour bodies of a pay offer that is seeing the port of Durban targeted.
The South Africa Motor Ferry Association (SAMFA) put forward a three-year deal to the three unions involved through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), that would see increases of 10% in 2014, 8% in 2015 and 8% in 2016, but this was turned down.
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“The strike has continued,” SAMFA general secretary, Larry Palk, told just-auto from the Cape region in South Africa. “There was an attempt at mediation, but that has not succeeded. The parties are striking and we are not moving, they are not moving.
“We need to have certainty going forward. We said we are prepared to meet to discuss creative ways to repack the proposals. We believe our offer is very fair and reasonable.”
Ports seem to be a particular target of the strikers, with the South African Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), telling just-auto the strategically vital site of Durban was being particularly affected.
MIBCO is nervously eying the dispute, which comes straight after two recent and costly periods of automotive industrial unrest in South Africa, that led BMW in October to warn it planned to put future investment in the country on hold.
The strike appears to be comprehensive, but it seems not all drivers have walked out, although Palk conceded it was “widespread” despite a period of relative calm since 2010.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) confirmed it was maintaining the strike, adding it would be “particularly active” in targeting the port of Durban to make sure no shipments were taking place.
“This is really costing them and the employers should be doing anything to avoid the strike,” a SATAWU spokesman told just-auto. “They should be offering what is affordable – they know they have enough profit.”
Pressed as to whether the industrial action was affecting union members financially, the SATAWU spokesman added: “The tool they have is the tool of strike [ing].”
Durban port was not immediately avaialble for comment.
