The latest on the security strike

By Megan Hartogh

The security guard strike, which has lasted nearly three months, may soon be coming to an end. This comes about after a meeting was held, under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, between the South African Transport and Allied Worker’s Union and employers in the security sector. According to SATAWU spokesperson, Ronnie Mamba, the latest offer takes the union’s two major issues into account – the salary increment and maternity leave. Some of the key changes, in the latest proposal, are that the Grade E guards who work in area five will be phased into area four. Mamba says that this means an automatic increase of R232 for the lowest paid security guards. All other demands, including that of maternity leave, meal intervals, study leave, night shift allowance and service benefits, have been met by security employers. Talks between the union and employers are set to resume on Thursday, and Mamba says that SATAWU will sign the proposed agreement if their members are satisfied and give them the go ahead.