Sanral, striking contractors hope to settle today

Teti Traffic workers have resumed their protest outside Sanral’s offices as talks between their union and bosses get underway at the CCMA.

Midrand - Teti Traffic workers have resumed their protest outside the South African National Road Agency’s (Sanral) offices on Wednesday morning as talks between their union and bosses get underway at the CCMA.

The striking workers were likely to spend the better part of the day picketing outside Sanral, to which their company is contracted.

SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) spokesperson Zanele Sabela said the workers did not disrupt morning traffic on Wednesday morning by marching on the N1 in Midrand in compliance with an interim court interdict issued by the Labour Court on Tuesday.

The workers brought traffic to a standstill on the busy highway on Tuesday, frustrating motorists and law enforcement officials.

Sabela explained that their members would only return to work after their wage demands have been met.

“What we put on the table is what we want and we would like to see the employer come forth with something constructive,” Sabela said.

“They want more, we want the increases and benefits,” she added.

Project manager at Teti Traffic Karen Venter told Independent Media that the company had offered a 7% increase and that she could not afford to hike the offer.

The union has demanded increases from R4 325 to R6 000 for general workers, R4 680 to R9 000 for basic life support staff, R6 000 to R7 000 for traffic safety officers, R6 600 to R12 000 for traffic management staff, R13 000 to R16 000 for senior operators and R4 325 to R13 00 for technicians.

Satawu also wants medical aid, provident fund and 13th cheque benefits.

Perumel Pillay, spokesperson for Teti Traffic, said the company hopes to settle the matter on Wednesday.

“We obviously want to get a settlement because we understand that this is their bread and butter,” said Pillay.

Labour Bureau