By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Tshwane and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have reached an agreement after workers downed tools last week and halted bus services following threats to intensify their strike action this week.
The union demanded that workers receive a fair transport allowance. It also claimed divisions within the city and its transport departments are not adhering to the basic conditions of employment act.
Members had threatened to strike and shut down services if the metro failed to intervene in the collapsed wage negotiations.
Numsa says it’s reached an agreement on its demand for a transport allowance for its members.
NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi Majola says workers have settled for a R900 allowance, and a night shift allowance of R20 per hour.
“They did not have medical aid, and now we’ve secured medical aid with a 30% contribution from the employer. We’ve also secured an increase in annual leave for those employees who’ve been at the company for more than two years,” says Hlubi-Majola.
The employer has also agreed to annual bonuses for all employees as well as payouts for employees who serve on the job for five years, added Hlubi-Majola.