NEHAWU Supports the SATAWU Bus Strike

19 April 2018

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union [NEHAWU] supports the bus strike by our sister union the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union [SATAWU] which began yesterday morning.

As NEHAWU, we support the genuine demands by workers for better salaries and improved working conditions. The national union believes that the 12% across the board wage increase with a minimum basic salary of R8 000 is a reasonable demand considering the rise in VAT by 1%, the increase in fuel levy and the road accident levy increase. The rise of the prices of basic necessities dictates that salaries of workers are also increased to ensure that they are able to provide for their families.

We also support the demand that the employer stops the dual driver system, through which the employer enjoys free labour, in that the second driver who is not at the wheel when the trip commences is deemed to not be on duty and only paid a R400 allowance per month. This is exploitation of the highest order and we support the demand that both drivers are paid equally the amount due to them.

We appeal to the employer to come back to the negotiating table and negotiate in good faith as the strike is putting more strain to our already dysfunctional public transport system. As NEHAWU, we call on all communities especially commuters to support the strike in order to ensure that it ends as soon as possible.

Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat

Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969; Khaya Xaba (NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer) at 082 455 2500 or email: khaya@nehawu.org.za Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za