UPDATE: #GautrainStrike enters second day, Gautrain releases contingency plan
JOURG – Staff are demanding a 10 per cent salary increase and a R20 000 incentive bonus, among other things.
Update, 31 July, 10am:
Gautrain has announced contingency plans for essential train and bus services as a wage dispute between the United National Transport Union and Gautrain has entered its second day.
Gautrain has announced that there will be train service during the peak period between Sandton and OR Tambo, stopping at Rhodesfield.
These trains will be leaving at 36-minute intervals. A bus service will operate between Sandton and Rhodesfield and between Rhodesfield and OR Tambo from 9am until 4pm. For the bus trips, there will be a fixed fare of R21.
Earlier, 31 July, 7am:
Gautrain employees who are a part of the United National Transport Union began striking yesterday, 30 July, and are set to continue today. Commuters, who normally make use of the Gautrain, are advised to find alternative modes of transport.
Yesterday, striking workers were preventing buses from exiting the depot and, as such, buses scheduled to service the airport service as well as Centurion, Sandton and Park stations were delayed.
@EWNTraffic
Gautrain services remain disrupted morning due to a strike – however there’s a contingency plan for peak
time commute – so visit Gautrain’s website from more details #JHBTraffic #PTATraffic © 31•07•2018— johan willemse (@insulter1) July 31, 2018
— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) July 29, 2018
According to the union, members voted to participate in a mass strike during a mass meeting on 23 July. The union is demanding a 10 per cent salary increase‚ a housing allowance of R1 600‚ a transport allowance of R800‚ night shift to be increased by 10 per cent and a R20 000 incentive bonus for all employees.
The operator of Gautrain, Bombela, has offered an 8,5 per cent increase across the board and no incentive bonus.
The union said that the decision to embark on a strike comes after the union’s acting general secretary, Neels Haasbroket and deputy general secretary Pieter Greyling were issued with a certificate of non-resolution of the wage dispute by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Please be reminded that the reduced train service between Centurion & Sandton, and Sandton & Park stations will not operate during off-peak which is from 9h00. This service will resume at 16h00 today & will operate until 19h00. Please see details at: https://t.co/h3nPXQHU7b.
— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) July 30, 2018
We will gladly refund you for the days that you have been unable to use the service as a result of the strike. To apply for a refund online, please register an account and link your Gautrain card to your profile at https://t.co/QngYXgvkA2
— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) July 29, 2018
How have you been affected by the strike by Gautrain staff? Share your thoughts by commenting on our Facebook page.
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