By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Public Utility Transport Corporation (Putco) has agreed to the demands of workers, who demanded a 6% wage increase, this follows days of industrial action bus company.
Workers demanded a 6% wage increase and back pay for bonuses since 2020, but Putco applied for a partial exemption and offered the drivers a 3% increase instead.
The bus company said through a CCMA facilitated section 150 process, marathon meetings were held over the past three days between Putco and labour unions to find a solution to the impasse.
Putco said it will implement a 6% wage increase on 1 October 2022 for all employees who were in service of Putco on 1 April 2020 and who are still in service at the conclusion of this agreement.
“The wage increase will not be backdated and will not be applicable to employees who have already received the 6% increase as part of their wage adjustment in 2021 to comply with the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPABC) minimums.”
Putco said the annual bonus for 2020 will be paid to all employees who qualified in terms of the SARPBAC 2020 Main Collective Agreement.
“The bonus will be paid over a period of 18 consecutive months commencing at the end of October 2022.”
“A once-off amount of R5,000 (five thousand rand) per employee will be paid in two instalments at the end November 2022 and February 2023 in lieu of back pay for employees who were in service of the company on 1 April 2020,” Putco said.
Putco said the dismissal of the 105 employees for misconduct during the unprotected strike in September 2022 will stand.
“However, these individuals will have the opportunity to lodge an internal appeal by no later than Friday 16 September 2022, should they elect to do so and union officials are allowed to represent their members.”