Satawu workers
Image by: Antonio Muchave / Sowetan
Image by: Antonio Muchave / Sowetan
The mining strike is likely to spill over into the transport sector with thousands of drivers threatening to stop work.
The SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) has expressed "grave concern" that its strike for higher wages would be sabotaged.
According to Satawu spokesman Vincent Masoga, a breakaway association with, it is believed, ties to Julius Malema had recently been formed.
"These people, who are working on members' frustrations, want to create anarchy," he said.
Masoga said Satawu's members wanted the same success as workers in the mining sector.
"They will not allow us to budge on their demand of a 12% salary increase.
"The mining strike will engulf [the transport sector] if companies do not try harder in the negotiations.
"All transport - fuel, coal, food, steel, concrete, cash transport - will grind to a halt.
"Nothing will be loaded or off-loaded, with shop shelves and petrol pumps going empty. This is one of the biggest crises to face South Africa,'' he said.
The strike is due to take place next Monday if wage negotiations remain deadlocked.
Mboniso Sigonyela, a Transnet spokesman, said the company had not received information about a planned strike and was not aware of plans to disrupt business.
According to a Medupi engineering specialist, Malema is about to visit strikers at the multibillion-rand power station, the construction of which is crucial to the country's power supply. - Additional reporting by TJ Strydom
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/09/17/union-warns-of-complete-transport-shutdown
According to Satawu spokesman Vincent Masoga, a breakaway association with, it is believed, ties to Julius Malema had recently been formed.
"These people, who are working on members' frustrations, want to create anarchy," he said.
Masoga said Satawu's members wanted the same success as workers in the mining sector.
"They will not allow us to budge on their demand of a 12% salary increase.
"The mining strike will engulf [the transport sector] if companies do not try harder in the negotiations.
"All transport - fuel, coal, food, steel, concrete, cash transport - will grind to a halt.
"Nothing will be loaded or off-loaded, with shop shelves and petrol pumps going empty. This is one of the biggest crises to face South Africa,'' he said.
The strike is due to take place next Monday if wage negotiations remain deadlocked.
Mboniso Sigonyela, a Transnet spokesman, said the company had not received information about a planned strike and was not aware of plans to disrupt business.
According to a Medupi engineering specialist, Malema is about to visit strikers at the multibillion-rand power station, the construction of which is crucial to the country's power supply. - Additional reporting by TJ Strydom
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/09/17/union-warns-of-complete-transport-shutdown
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