Utatu signs a wage agreement

By Khanyisa Tabata
21 May 2010

The United Transport and Allied Trade Union has signed a wage settlement of a 10 percent increase with the Passer Rail Agency of South.

The UTATU members as well as the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union downed tools on last week Monday that saw services shut down at Metrorail, Shosholoza Meyl and Autopax bus services across the country.

UTATU’s General Secretary Chris de Vos says the 10% is better than the initial offer of 5% by PRASA.

“The parties agree to commence negotiations in this regard within seven days of the singing of the substantive agreement.

“The parties further agree that the process shall be facilitated by CCMA Senior Commissioners. The Commissioner shall be responsible for convening meetings and ensuring that the process is finalised by 30 June 2010,” said de Vos.

De Vos added that should the parties, for whatever reason, fail to reach settlement then either of the parties shall reserve their legal rights in terms of applicable dispute resolution procedures.

“We are glad that we have come to an agreement and believe that workers were very responsible for giving us the mandate to go ahead with the wage agreement,” said de Vos.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa General Secretary Dennis George says that the members of UTATU really need to be commended for their ability to enter into peaceful negotiations and strike action, which showed employers that they need to respect workers and their rights.