* All four trucker unions sign deal
* Three-week strike had caused fuel, cash shortages
* Rand firms after announcement
By Wendell Roelf
CAPE TOWN, Oct 12 (Reuters) – South African truck drivers
have signed a wage deal to end a three-week strike, the freight
employers group said on Friday, putting an end to a walk-out
that has hit deliveries of fuel, cash and consumer goods in
Africa’s top economy.
More than 20,000 truck drivers have taken to the streets in
often violent protests since late September, demanding higher
wages. At least one person was killed and dozens of trucks were
torched by demonstrators.
“The agreement has been signed by everyone. The strike is
off immediately,” Penwell Lunga, chairman of the Road Freight
Employers Association told Reuters.
He said workers have agreed to accept wage increases of 10
percent from March 2013, 8 percent the following year and 9
percent for 2015.
All four transport unions were part of the agreement, RFEA
spokeswoman Magretia Brown-Engelbrecht said, although she did
not reveal details of the deal.
Continued…
