Employer and union representatives were this morning thrashing out the last remaining “sticking point” to end the national bus strike. An announcement to this effect is expected later this afternoon and is tentatively scheduled for 3:30pm.
Both parties have now agreed to a pay rise of 9% for this year, followed by 8% in 2019. There are a number of other areas regarding working conditions that have not been resolved, but have been shelved.“The only issue were are still debating about is when the agreed pay rise should kick in,” a union negotiator said.
The unions, who have given way on their demands for a single year agreement and on pay levels, want the increase for this year to be backdated to April 1; the employers want it to start from the date the agreement is signed.
“If the agreement is not backdated, drivers would lose hundreds of rand on top of the money lost during the strike.” said Transport and Omnibus Workers’ Union general secretary, Tony Franks.
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