Metrorail workers temporarily abandon strike

Striking Metrorail workers in the Western Cape have decided to temporarily abandon their industrial action‚ after consulting with lawyers.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) had planned to embark on an indefinite strike on Thursday over “poor management” of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and the “blatant exploitation of workers“. The union also demanded that temporary workers be made permanent.

But the strike was brought to a halt when Metrorail obtained a court interdict on Wednesday evening. This meant that the strike became unprotected.

Satawu Western Cape secretary Thembela Dakuse said on Thursday the union had instructed its members to return to work following the granting of the interdict‚ but expressed frustration that Metrorail had approached the courts at the eleventh hour. She said the union had approached the labour court to challenge the granting of the interdict and the matter would be heard on April 20.

Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said on Thursday the company had sought legal recourse in order to prevent the backbone of public transport in the Western Cape from being affected.

“We are privileged to transport the bulk of public transport users and every effort will be made to prevent them from being inconvenienced further‚” he said.

Earlier Mr Walker said the strike had been orchestrated by a disgruntled “faction” of Satawu.

“At the heart of the so-called issues are malicious and unsubstantiated personal attacks against the leadership of the region. The labour issues for which the faction is purportedly striking are being handled at a national level by a legitimate and recognised bargaining forum. Agreement was reached by both unions’ national leadership and executive management of Prasa that no strike action is planned until such time as every avenue has been exhausted to resolve these legitimate issues amicably‚” said Mr Walker.

Metrorail‚ a division of Prasa‚ has come under pressure because its rail commuter services are in a serious state of decline after decades of underinvestment‚ deferred maintenance‚ outdated technology and the loss of critical staff and skills.

Satawu Western Cape secretary Thembela Dakuse said on Thursday the union had instructed its members to return to work following the granting of the interdict‚ but expressed frustration that Metrorail had approached the courts at the eleventh hour. She said the union had approached the labour court to challenge the granting of the interdict and the matter would be heard on April 20.

Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said on Thursday the company had sought legal recourse in order to prevent the backbone of public transport in the Western Cape from being affected.

“We are privileged to transport the bulk of public transport users and every effort will be made to prevent them from being inconvenienced further‚” he said.

Earlier Mr Walker said the strike had been orchestrated by a disgruntled “faction” of Satawu.

“At the heart of the so-called issues are malicious and unsubstantiated personal attacks against the leadership of the region. The labour issues for which the faction is purportedly striking are being handled at a national level by a legitimate and recognised bargaining forum. Agreement was reached by both unions’ national leadership and executive management of Prasa that no strike action is planned until such time as every avenue has been exhausted to resolve these legitimate issues amicably‚” said Mr Walker.

Metrorail‚ a division of Prasa‚ has come under pressure because its rail commuter services are in a serious state of decline after decades of underinvestment‚ deferred maintenance‚ outdated technology and the loss of critical staff and skills.