Wage negotiations deadlock between SATAWU & SACD Freight

[Rea Molopyane]

 

 

Wage negotiations deadlock between SATAWU & SACD Freight

9 December 2011

 

This week, the South African Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU) and South African Container Depots (SACD) Freight a member of the BidVest Group of Companies have been  involved in wage negotiations talks from 6 – 7 December 2011. It is likely that the talks will continue to be difficult taking into account that the company want to minimize labour costs and maximize profits for shareholders.  “This is a company that took 10 years to sign an agreement recognising & acknowledging SATAWU as the union representing their employees, we don’t expect things to be easy.” said  Veronica Mesatywa, National Maritime Sector Chief Negotiator

 

Yesterday it became clear that the company is not prepared to move from their offer and we ended up deadlocking on the following issues:

 

Our demands;

• 12%   ATB
• Transport for Cape Region level ( to be implemented ATB )- It should benefit even those who use their own cars since one region is using it.
• Closure of the wage disparity for coastal regions for B3 over a 12 months.                     

 

Current Employer’s offer;

• 6% (split i.e. 3% in January and 3% in July)
• The company want transport benefit to be discussed at depot level instead of region
• The company wants to close the wage gap over 24 months claiming that grade B3’s already earn high salaries: - they cannot afford to do it over 12 months

 

The response of the employers is not been dignified and rational and could lead an industrial action. SATAWU believes that the current demand of 12% on ATB is scientific and it falls within the required economic explanation. The company has been more reticent on giving workers improved wages. There is no justification for a low base percent offer in the mist of difficult economic conditions.

 

The increase in the prices of commodities has not been consistent with wage improvements. Many workers remain cash strapped and there is no upward mobility in their economic lives as a result of anomalies in pay. By and large, workers remain in the same circle of poverty. The wages in the company have not been broad-based to accelerate the closing of the wage differentials and addressing economic difficulties. We trust and hope that sanity will prevail on the part of the company to meet all the only wage demand. We also hope that the company will change its imperious approach to wage negotiations  

 

 

Contact:

Mamokgethi Rea Molopyane

SATAWU National Spokesperson

Cell: 082 395 0907

Landline: 011 333 6127

E-mail: r...@satawu.org.za

Twitter: @Reagoikanya