The South African Federation of Trade Unions has pledged its support for the bus workers strike.
Metal workers union Numsa and another Saftu affiliate TASWU along with Cosatu unions embarked on a country-wide strike yesterday following a wage dispute.
The Transport Ministry called on provinces to fast-track temporary licenses to other operators, notably taxi operators, to help ease the Easter crush.
In a statement on Thursday Saftu said the unions are absolutely justified in their demand for a double-digit basic wage increase and to be paid overtime, especially for Sundays and public holidays.
“SAFTU understands the great inconvenience this strike is causing to bus passengers, the majority of them come from the poor and the working class, who depend on buses to get to and from work and to visit their families,” said spokesperson Zwelinzima Vavi.
“But it is in their interests as much as those of the workers that this strike is won, because the
issue is not just over better wages but greater safety”.
“Commuters are at more risk of accidents when drivers have not had a long enough break between shifts and are thus tired and stressed. Driver fatigue is a major contributor to the outrageous number of accidents and deaths on South Africa’s roads,” Vavi said.
He said Saftu is urging all unions to prepare to mobilize for solidarity action in support of the bus workers.
