Striking Security Guards Canned

The contract of a private security company whose employees had staged a wage protest at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium has been terminated.

Following an emergency meeting between police and Fifa on Wednesday, it was decided that police officers would take over security duties at Soccer City, Moses Mabhida, Green Point and Ellis Park stadiums for the rest of the World Cup.

The meeting came after security guards embarked on a strike over salaries. They claimed they had been promised R1500 a day, but were getting only R190.

On Sunday, security guards at the Moses Mabhida Stadium walked off their post just before the Australia- Germany match. Police replaced them immediately to provide security.

Yesterday, some of the sacked guards said they were shocked by the decision to fire them

Striking World Cup guards regret losing jobs
The Sowetan
June 18, 2010

Massive Transit Strike Planned, But Likely Over Before World Cup

The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) will jointly host a national strike of Transnet, a public commercial company that oversees rail, ports and pipelines in South Africa. Metrorail employees aren't expected to join the strike, but that has not yet been ruled out.

South Africa's transport system was expected to be brought to a standstill from May 10 as 50 000 Transnet workers planned to strike over a wage dispute.

"This will be the biggest strike in the history of South Africa," said Chris de Vos, general secretary of the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday.

"It will make all other strikes look like kindergarten parties."

Fears over massive strike
Fin 24
April 30, 2010

Call for 'Strike-Free' World Cup

The Independent Democrat party is calling on labor officials to negotiate to ensure a "strike-free" World Cup.

Joe Mcgluwa, the ID's spokesperson for Sport, called on Nedlac to "take immediate steps" to negotiate such a period. This came after the Congress of SA Trade Unions warned that mass action against Eskom's electricity price increases could carry on during the soccer tournament.

"The ID has consistently been critical of the electricity price increases, of Nersa's rubber-stamping of Eskom’s price increase applications and of government’s shady energy deals, including ANC front company Chancellor House’s stake in them," Mcgluwa said in a statement.

"However, the World Cup is also a vital socio-economic opportunity for South Africans, especially considering our huge investments in it."

ID calls for 'strike free' World Cup
News 24
March 28, 2010

Unions Threaten Strike Over Rail Fare Hike

Union officials are threatening a countrywide strike should a proposed rail ticket increase go through. Metrorail is planning to increase monthly fares between R40 (~$5.50 USD) and R100 (~$13.50 USD) on April 1.

The Cape Argus reported earlier this week that Metrorail had blamed the increase on rising operational costs and the slashing of its government subsidy.

In a statement released on Thursday, Cosatu expressed outrage at the increases and threatened strike action if the price hike wasn't cancelled.

"Cosatu will reinstate the section 77 notice that gives members the right to bring the economy to a standstill should Metrorail continue with these ill considered increases," the union warned.

South Africa: Cosatu Threat Over Metrorail Increases
Cape Argus
March 19, 2010

Government Plea to Unions: Don't Use 2010 as Leverage

Government officials are appealing to trade unions to resist the urge to use the World Cup as leverage should there be a strike within the health sector.

Trade unions, government as the employer and the Public Sector Bargaining Council will sit down to deliberate on how to improve service delivery in South Africa, he said.

Top government officials, including the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Zweli Mkhize, stressed the importance of efficient and effective performances by public servants.

He said the people of South Africa deserved improvement in their lives after choosing to fight against the apartheid system, adding that a few public servants should not taint the overall image of government.

South Africa: Govt Urges Unions Not to Use 2010 As Leverage
Bua News
March 14, 2010

BRT Opens in Johannesburg

Johannesburg's bus rapid transit system has begun operations, becoming the first BRT system to open in South Africa. With dedicated bus lanes, the system is expected to improve public transit in the populous city, which had heretofore relied on the operation of minibuses and taxis. The taxi industry is still upset about the system, fearing it will steal jobs from taxi drivers. A planned strike had been called off, but taxi officials have not ruled out retaliatory action.

The bus service runs from Soweto, the biggest township in South Africa, to Johannesburg city centre and some of the stadiums that will feature in the 2010 World Cup.

World soccer governing body FIFA has flagged public transport, severely neglected during decades of apartheid rule, as a key challenge South Africa needs to overcome as it prepares to host next year's World Cup tournament.

S.Africa launches transport system ahead of 2010
Reuters
August 30, 2009

Taxi Officials Call Off Strike Hours Before BRT Launch

Officials from the taxi industry have, for the second time in two days, called off a planned nationwide strike of taxi workers to protest the opening of the nation's first bus rapid transit system in Johannesburg. The call came just hours before a ceremonial launch of the system on Sunday.

The industry had threatened to begin a strike on Tuesday in protest at the Rea Vaya pilot route of the BRT, which, they say, could have a direct and negative impact on their livelihoods. They claim to have been insufficiently consulted about the route by the city's authorities.

However, during an eleventh-hour meeting on the East Rand, some 50 executive members of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), lobby group United Taxi Association Forum (UTAF), and other members of the industry have agreed to negotiate rather than strike - for now, at least.

Taxi industry backs off strike action again
The Sunday Independent
August 30, 2009

Gauteng Officials Say BRT Will Open As Expected

Nomvula Mokonyane, premier of Gauteng Province has vowed to ensure the new bus rapid transit system in Johannesburg will open as expected, despite threats of taxi strikes in an effort to block the system's opening August 31.

Premier Mokonyane said the city authorities will not bow to the threats. "We want to assure the people of Gauteng that we are determined to protect them. Law enforcement authorities will stand ready to deal with any disruptions that may occur," Ms Mokonyane said, while addressing reporters at one of the BRT stations in Ellis Park.

"No permission has been sought for the strike and any public gathering that seeks to undermine the process (BRT launch) will be dealt with," Premier Mokonyane added. She said the City of Johannesburg will also oppose any legal action by taxi operators to block the launch of the BRT.

South Africa: Joburg Ready to Launch BRT - Mokonyane
Bua News
August 27, 2009

Political and Trade Groups Voice Opposition to Taxi Strike

The Gauteng branch of the African National Congress, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the SA Communist Party have come out in opposition to a planned strike by a national taxi drivers union upon the launch of a bus rapid transit system in Johannesburg.

The alliance acknowledged the right of citizens to protest peacefully but called on the taxi industry to respect the rights of citizens who support the BRT system.

"We also call on the government to ensure that law enforcement agencies protect ordinary citizens on the day of the strike," said David Makhura, African National Congress secretary in Gauteng.

Taxi strike slammed
Independent Online
August 26, 2009

Commuters Seek Seat at Taxi Strike Negotiating Table

Organizations representing commuters in favor of the new bus rapid transit systems under development in South Africa have requested a seat at the negotiating table with the government and the taxi industry. They are opposed to the planned strike by workers from the National Taxi Association.

On Saturday, they elected 40 people to participate in the national joint working group set up by President Jacob Zuma.

...The organisations are the SA National Civic Organisation, the SA Commuters Organisation, the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union, the National Economic Development and Labour Council, the Gauteng Commuters Organisation, the SA Disability Alliance and Cosatu.

The group says the taxi industry should not go on strike without consulting the public.

Commuter groups enter taxi strike fray
The Star
August 24, 2009

Western Cape Metrorail Strike Fades

Though no formal agreement has been reached, Metrorail workers are returning to their trains one week after instituting a strike. Workers had gradually returned to work over the course of the strike, though union officials are still trying to push forward wage negotiations.

When the strike began last Monday, train services in the Western Cape were reduced to 30 percent of its 679 daily trips, but waned after three days as some United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) members returned to work.

...Utatu demanded an 8 percent increase effective from April 1, a further 2 percent in September and an 8 percent increase in the housing subsidy and medical aid. Metrorail has offered 8 percent across the board. The minimum monthly salary is R5 000.

Metrorail transports about 600 000 passengers daily. About 1 000 of Utatu's 2 500 members at Metrorail are based in the Western Cape.

Metrorail strike fizzles out
Cape Times
August 24. 2009

BRT System Threatened by Strikes and Legal Action

As it closes in on its planned opening day, South Africa's first bus rapid transit system in Johannesburg could be marred by legal action and taxi strikes. A nationwide strike is being organized by the South African National Taxi Council, while an arm of the United Taxi Association Forum is seeking a court intervention to stop the system from opening.

The scheduled launch of Rea Vaya - billed as the nation's debut BRT project - on August 31 could be stopped by a court interdict being sought by Doldotha Taxi Association, a member of the United Taxi Association Forum, formed by various taxi associations in Gauteng and Polokwane.

...Philip Taaibosch, the secretary-general of Santaco, said the industry was angry that the government had also gone back on its word regarding an undertaking made at the national joint working group established by President Jacob Zuma.

A short left to BRT from the taxis
The Sunday Independent
August 23, 2009

Taxi Industry Vows Strike When Jo'burg BRT Opens

The SA National Taxi Council plans to hold nationwide strikes beginning September 1, the day after Johannesburg's bus rapid transit system is set to begin operations. Taxi officials have been upset about not being included more in the planning process for the broad new system.

Despite negotiations not yet being concluded, the City of Johannesburg was rigidly committed to putting the BRT on line as scheduled, said Santaco secretary-general Philip Taaibosch.

"But even more frightfully, the city does this despite the flaws that exist in the business model of the BRT project...," said Taaibosch.

The government set up a National Joint Working Committee to deal with taxi operators' issues after an outcry over BRT by the taxi industry.

Taxis vow to put brakes on BRT
The Independent Online
August 21, 2009

Transit Strike Cripples Cape Town

Minibus taxi drivers and bus drivers went on strike in Cape Town August 12, mainly fueled by members of Satawu, the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union.

The city warned commuters earlier this week that the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance (WC-NTA) had indicated it would be embarking on a strike.

"The city has had several meetings with the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance and has negotiated in good faith to address their concerns which include traffic fines, permits and warrants for arrest," the city said in a statement.

Taxi, bus drivers on strike
The Independent Online
August 12, 2009

Construction Worker Strike Continues

The strike of construction workers within the National Union of Mineworkers drags on, according to union officials.

World Cup stadium strike continues
Independent Online
July 13, 2009

No Signs of Construction Strike in Mpumalanga

The construction worker strike organized by the National Union of Mine Workers was nowhere to be seen at the Mbombela stadium in Mpumalanga, where workers continued construction work on the new stadium.

Those who came to the stadium thinking that there was going to be a big strike were disappointed. It turned out to be a normal working day, just like any other.

"We heard on the television that there would be strikes across all 2010 venues, but we will not go on strike," said Joseph Ntibande, a construction worker at the stadium. "We cannot afford to do that because this is our dream and we will be destroying it. We have embarked on a number of strikes here and as a result we fell behind schedule and are now working on borrowed time."

All quiet on the Mbombela front
Mail & Guardian
July 10, 2009

Construction on Jahannesburg Stadium Halts

Stadium workers governed by the National Union of Mine Workers have stopped all construction work at Johannesburg's new Soccer City Stadium. The stoppage is part of a protes tover wages, in which the union is demanding that the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors increases wages by 13%.

The strike threatens the tight deadlines set for each of the new stadia being built for the 2010 World Cup.

But by midday the main 2010 World Cup venue resembled a battleground. More than 1 500 workers had swapped their picks and shovels for sticks as they toyi-toyied outside, demanding a pay rise.

Work at the opening and closing venue for next year's World Cup was brought to a standstill, with the only activity being that of the subcontractors. Even the foremen and site managers seemed at a loss and watched from inside the perimeter fence.

Work stops at Soccer City
Mail & Guardian
July 10, 2009

Workers Thumb Negotiations, Saying Strikes Will Go On Into 2011

Construction workers have shot down a proposed raise during recent negotiations, saying that unless their demands are met, they will continue to strike until 2011. With the 5 new World Cup stadia depending on these construction workers, this prospect could be disastrous for the tournament.

[W]orkers on Monday rejected an improved wage offer of 10,4 percent, up from 10 percent, and stuck to their 13-percent demand.

"Employers must expect no mercy from us, they must deliver 13 percent or we will strike until 2011," said Bhekani Ngcobo, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) chief negotiator in the dispute.

No mercy from us, warn stadium workers
Independent Online
July 6, 2009

Officials Urge Negotiations with Stadium Laborers

World Cup officials and labor representatives are calling for better communication and negotiation between laborers and developers in order to make sure the 5 World Cup stadia under construction are completed.

An interdict to bar the strike called over a wage dispute for next Wednesday will be sought by the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors on Friday, said Campanella who is the group’s spokesman.

The country’s labour relations body - the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration - has also called an urgent meeting between parties on Friday to discuss the dispute and the potential impact on 2010.

2010 organisers to talk to unions
The Times
July 2, 2009

Construction Strike to Affect Stadium Construction

300,000 National Union of Mineworkers have announced plans to strike, affecting construction of World Cup stadia and the Gautrain regional rail system.

Affected projects include KwaZulu-Natal’s Moses Mabhida stadium, King Shaka International airport, the Durban Harbour project, the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela stadium, the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, and the Western Cape’s Green Point stadium.

2010 stadiums back on hold
The Times
July 1, 2009