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Piotrans apologises to commuters
- Details
- 25 August 2011
Conciliation has been set down for the end of the month in the dispute between the company and its workers, which has led to a drivers' strike.
PIOTRANS, the bus operating company of Rea Vaya's Phase 1A, has apologised to commuters for any inconvenience caused after workers downed tools following a wage dispute.
Rea Vaya buses came to a halt on 1 August when drivers went on an illegal strike.
"On behalf of the Piotrans board and management, I would like to apologise to the passengers of the Rea Vaya BRT system about the lack of services," said Grace Molefe, the chairperson of Piotrans.
The company has been trying to work with the leadership of the drivers to resolve the strike in the shortest possible time. However, the dispute has been referred to the South Africa Road Passengers Bargaining Council, which has scheduled the conciliation for 29 August.
Eric Motshwane, Piotrans' corporate affairs director, said the company was not sure yet when workers would be back on duty, but it was hopeful that they would reach an agreement on that date and that all the usual services would continue.
Workers embarked on an illegal strike in respect of wages and related matters, and Piotrans obtained an interdict from the Labour Court to end the illegal strike. The majority of workers returned to work on 8 August.
The 17 workers who did not return to work have been fired for participating in the illegal strike.
However, on the same day, the drivers – represented by the South African Municipal Workers Union – began a strike which they regarded as legal. Piotrans again sought an interdict from the court, but in this second instance the Labour Court ruled that the strike was legal.
"The company is doing its best efforts to find sustainable and long term solutions for the challenges it has encountered," Molefe said.
Piotrans management says it is willing to discuss the wage and related issues with the drivers, but needs to do so in compliance with South African labour law and practice.
Wages in the passenger bus sector are determined centrally by the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council and any negotiations have to happen in this context.
Its drivers are demanding R15 000 a month, plus benefits. This is significantly above the ceiling stipulated by the Bargaining Council Agreement. The company says it should also be noted that in May this year, its bus drivers received a 10 percent salary increase.
"Piotrans has recognised the need for a sound and equitable relationship between the company and its employees, which is also to the benefit of about 35 000 passengers that travel daily in the Rea Vaya BRT system," said Molefe.
"Piotrans is also cognisant of the fact that the way in which settlement of this strike is reached can impact on the future of Rea Vaya BRT not only in the city but also in the country as a whole."
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