State-owned freight logistics group Transnet is hoping to secure another multiyear wage settlement with its recognised unions, following a two-year deal, which will expire early next year.
CEO Brian Molefe said the two-year deal, which allowed for increases of 8.5% in 2013/14 and 9% in 2014/15, had been above where the group had hoped to settle, but had also given much needed certainty in the current unsettled labour climate.
Nevertheless, Transnet had still experienced industrial action at the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape, which was also associated with acts of violence, including attacks on the homes of some non-striking employees.
Molefe reported that there had been a total of 32 petrol-bomb attacks on employee houses and cars during the action, which had a minimal impact on actual operations at the port.
Three National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) members had been arrested after the company secured a court interdict, with one worker having been denied bail for being in possession of illegal firearms.
The key source of the grievance related to the use of labour brokers and Transnet reached a settlement with its recognised unions – of which Numsa was not one – to phase out the practice as from June.
Some striking casual employees had been given a chance to apply for permanent positions.