The Gautrain Bombela Concession Company has confirmed that services are operating as per the normal schedule. Picture: David Ritchie / Independent Newspapers
Gautrain services have been operating according to the normal schedule, despite the strike action that started on Monday.
This is according to Dr Kesagee Nayager, spokesperson for Gautrain Bombela Concession Company.
Nayager said that the strike affects the staff of the Bombela Operating Company (BOC). The BOC is a sub-contractor appointed by the Bombela Concession Company (Bombela) to operate the rail component of the Gautrain system.
The BOC is responsible for maintaining compliance of rail operations with all safety standards and regulations.
“BOC has confirmed to us that all their staff that are currently operating the rail service during the strike are fully compliant with safety regulation,” Nayager said.
The maintenance and the Gautrain bus operations are subcontracted to other entities which are not impacted by the strike at BOC.
The Bombela Concession Company will continue to issue regular updates to Gautrain passengers and will keep them updated of Gautrain services.
On July 8, 2024, the National Union Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) embarked on a strike at Gautrain after talks between the BOC and Numsa deadlocked in June.
Wage negotiations between the two parties initially started on April 17, 2024, and there were two rounds of talks.
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Numsa spokesperson has confirmed that the trade union is now asking for a 9% hike in wages after initially asking for 13% increase.
The trade union also has outlined its other demands, including 60% of medical contribution by the BOC while employees will contribute 40% and a housing allowance of R2,000 per employee per month.
Numsa is looking for compensation for extra hours after the BOC changed its work-week from a five-day operation to a six-day operation. Workers are asking to be paid the overtime rate on the sixth day.
Workers are seeking equal treatment in terms of bonuses because BOC bosses and office workers are rewarded with a bonus but blue-collar workers are denied a guaranteed bonus, the trade union said.
According to Numsa, currently workers have an incentive bonus, which requires the applicant to first qualify in order to be paid.
The union is also asking for full-time shop stewards who can represent workers in disciplinary enquiries, grievances, among others.
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