This Monday, the 10th, thousands of logistics workers threaten to go on strike to purposely cripple the nation's rail, pipeline and port operations. The Transnet company hasn't been able to satisfy the worker's demand for a 15% rise in pay. Transnet did offer 11% at it's highest number, but an agreement has not been met and the workers claim the offer is misleading and does not disclose the cut in benefits.
The two unions, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), represent some 85 percent of Transnet's workforce of around 50,000 people.
Analysts said that the strike wouldn't have huge impacts for a number of reasons, but the unrest among the workers is the most significant thing to me. With the World Cup a month away, a strike isn't something the country wants to deal with. It's good to see the unions taking steps to protect it's workers. As for the details of the deal, I'm unsure, but if the company is cutting benefits AND offering a smaller increase that's misleading to the public. It makes them seem that they are trying to cooperate and negotiate with the unions, when really they are sneaking around the backs of the public.
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