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Transnet says it is committed to ensuring a fruitful consultation with all relevant stakeholders when it comes to its big move to the Port of Ngqura in Gqeberha(Port Elizabeth).
This comes after the United National Transport Union (UNTU) accused Transnet of not conducting a consultative process with the union before the big announcement in the media.
According to the union, it found out about Transnet's relocation in the media.
In response to this, Transnet said due to its commitment to fruitful consultations, the company would continue to pursue labour consultations that began last year.
However, it is not clear from Transnet's initial response to the allegations that UNTU was part of the consultation process last year.
UNTU also said the company could not answer questions about the eMendi building's floor plan nor how much the relocation would cost during a site visit by the union.
Transnet has maintained that the reconfiguration of the building was progressing according to plan with internal processes in progress.
The company said the reconfigured plans allowed for 372 employees with suitable office accommodation adding that it would also make provision for possible future headcount growth.
The General Secretary of UNTU, Steve Harris was concerned about the building being too small to accommodate the initial figure of 400 affected employees, adding, that Transnet did not think about how the relocation would affect families especially spouses and children of employees.
The company's chief executive, Papi Silinga said the move was being managed with the sensitivity it deserves with necessary employee support under Transnet's relocation policy and employee assistance programme.
Silinga said impacted employees will relocate from the end of March until the 31st of August 2021.
