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Johannesburg- The labour caucus, consisting of the five transport unions involved in the protracted bus strike have resolved on a counter offer, which brings them closer to the new offer tabled by employers.
The unions resolved to demand 9% increases for bus drivers in the first year and 8% in the second year, backdated to April 1.
The remaining demands - including improved working conditions for long distance drivers and insourcing of technical workers - remain the same, according to Zanele Sabela, spokesperson for the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union.
Bus drivers downed tools on April 18. The strike, which is dragging on into its fourth week, has led to long queues at taxi ranks and extended travelling periods for hundreds of thousands of commuters.
The Bargaining Council and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Sunday, put a new offer of 8.75% for the first year and 8.25% for the second on the table.
The unions initially demanded a 12% salary hike across the board, among other demands. The figure was later reduced to 9.5%, after the CCMA intervened.
Several employers, including the City of Johannesburg transport services and Golden Arrow Bus Services, were not immediately available for comment.
