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Road transport agreement ends lengthy dispute in South Africa
15 February 2007
A longstanding wage dispute by road freight workers in South Africa has ended in victory for workers after an agreement was signed earlier this week.
Members of four South African transport unions - among them two ITF affiliates the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the Transport and Allied Workers’ Union - and the Road Freight Employers’ Association signed a deal on 12 February. The industry covers cash in transit vehicles, road ferry, furniture and long distance trucks, as well as local courier services. A small number of UPS and DHL workers are also represented.
The wages and working conditions agreement for 2007-2009 was drawn up in the wake of fraught negotiations that began in August last year; the threat of strike action constantly loomed when talks broke down.
The agreement gives workers a number of benefits including: a nine per cent across the board wage rise; the extension of an agency shop agreement to cover the industry, which will ensure that all employees and employers gaining from collective bargaining contribute towards the costs and a ten per cent contribution by employers over the next three years to the provident fund.
Tabudi Abner Ramakgolo, Satawu National Sector Coordinator commented:“This has been an important breakthrough for workers. Road freight is a lucrative sector for the employers but it has had some of the harshest conditions for workers. However, we appreciate the spirit of the negotiations as we do the outcome itself.
“The maturity and cooperation shown by all the workers was significant too. We were four unions with different traditions, but in the end the harmony and solidarity showed in the way we all kept our eyes on the ball.
“The agreement will help bring unorganised workers into the union. It also gives us a window period in which to deal with unfinished matters, such as policy issues.”
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