Truckers plan rallies as strike starts

South African truckers planned protest rallies on Monday to support a wage strike launched at the weekend

The South African Allied Transport Worker’s Union (SATAWU), the biggest body in the trucking industry and three other unions that in total represent more than 30,000 truckers, are demanding a 20% salary increase over the next two years, housing allowances and shorter working hours.

“The strike is going to continue indefinitely until the demands are met,” SATAWU first vice president June Dube said.

The trucking industry group, the Road Freight Association, has offered a 7,5% rise this year and 7,5% next year.

The strike has not had any major impact yet on transport, said Magretia Brown-Engelbrecht, labour relations manager with the Road Freight Association. “We will be having meeting with the unions on Tuesday,” she said.

Unions say the strike will have a devastating impact on Africa’s largest economy.

“All sectors of the South African economy and neighbouring states will be affected,” Dube said.

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