[EN-SEA] Transnet Rejects One Union's Back To Work Plea Without The Order

SOUTH AFRICA's nationwide transport strike did not end as hoped after the state-run logistics giant Transnet refused to let one union, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UTATU), to return to work without a deal with the other, the still striking South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU).
Transnet employs 54 000 with SATAWU representing 39 per cent and UTATU representing 45 per cent.

While blaming the employer for not letting his union back to work, UTATU general secretary Chris de Vos said: "We respect SATAWU and that they still had to take the employers' latest offers to their members.

We just hope that they will respect our members' decision and not intimidate them when returning to work."

Transnet has appealed to SATAWU members accept its offer and return to work "after the acceptance of the offer by the majority of our employees", meaning the other union UTATU membership.

"There is no need for colleagues, who have already lost two weeks' pay, to lose more money as the new offer is fair," said Transnet spokesman John Dludlu.

Transnet expressed disappointment that SATAWU had again rejected the "generous" offer and "at the limit of what is reasonable" in the current economic environment, reported the South African Press Association.

South African financial news portal Fin24.com reported that SATAWU had rejected wage offers and its president Ezrom Mabyana told a press conference in Johannesburg the union would mobilise other sectors for a solidarity strike.

"In other words, aluta continua [Portuguese for "the struggle continues"], they will continue to be on strike. The ports will not move," said Mr Mabyana.

This would affect road freight, security, cleaners and other sectors. It would take seven days to apply for permission for a solidarity strike. SATAWU wants a 15 per cent pay increase from Transnet.

Exporters of South African apples and pears are much exposed to the strike, reported financial news portal Fin24.com. "Customers will soon import fruit from Chile and Argentina if South Africa can't deliver," said fruit exporting firm Tru-Cape's managing director, Charles Hughes.

Mr Hughes said South Africa has so far built a good reputation for supplying produce, but it is now being considered unreliable.

He said his company had to repack fruit that would have been exported in refrigerated containers for shipping in these freighters because there are height restrictions for the cargo pallets.

"It is unfortunate that shipping lines are forced to pass the costs incurred by the strike on to already struggling producers, rather than being able to claim from the party causing the problem," he said.

The strike has again brought to the fore the question of privatisation of the harbours, he said.

Anton Rabe, chairman of Fruit South Africa, wrote to Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan, minister for Transnet, saying the financial losses in the fruit export industry also mean a loss of clients.

Mr Rabe encouraged all exporters to send the accounts for demurrage (US$150 per container per day) that the Maersk Line has been charging exporters since Wednesday, as well as all other costs associated with the strike, to Transnet for payment.

Mr Rabe reckons that these losses should be recovered from Transnet given that it, as a government entity, clings to its monopoly in South Africa's container ports.

Source : HKSG, 24.05.10.