An estimated 28 000 truck drivers across the country embarked on a national strike today.
Thousands of businesses are likely to suffer and the country could lose millions, with negations between the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and employers deadlocked.
The union’s spokesman, Vincent Masoga, said at the weekend there had been meetings with employers, a number of which were represented by the Road Safety Association, but there had been no agreement.
“We have asked for a 12 percent wage increase and the employers only offered 6 percent,” he said.
“They [employers] have left us no choice but to go on strike today.”
The strike is set to bring the transport of goods such as food, fuel and steel to a standstill.
It would also cost the economy millions of rand, Durban Chamber of Commerce CEO Andrew Layman warned last night.
“It is very unfortunate that the strike will go ahead. This will impact very negatively on the country’s economy,” said Layman.
“The movement of goods is critical and this [strike] means devastation to businesses.
“Imports and exports are critical. If there are delays in the delivery of those goods businesses lose opportunities.”
Layman called on the employers and union to reach an agreement.
According to Masoga, negotiations with employers began in “early June and July”, when drivers voiced their unhappiness and demanded a wage hike.
“We are not worried about the economy when our workers are not being paid good wages and they cannot work properly,” he said.
Masoga said thousands of the drivers across the country would picket, including in Durban.
There would be a meeting with the employers this afternoon to conduct further negotiations, he said.
Economist Mike Schussler believes that the fuel sector will be hardest hit.
“Food outlets generally keep stocks. Petrol stations will be affected,” he said.
Schussler said the country was threatened by strikes.
“People are asking for increases and this comes after the long Marikana strike. I hope the strike is limited to a day.”
A member of the Road Safety Association undertook to have a spokesman contact The Mercury last night, but no response had been received at the time of going to press.
