Johannesburg, 31 March 2016 – Prasa is pleased to announce that its meeting with the labour unions (UNTU and SATAWU) was a success. As a result the strike by UNTU planned for the 4th of April 2016 has been suspended.
All parties demonstrated full commitment to the process and agreed that the matters that were a subject of strike certificate issued to UNTU were not insurmountable and that they can be resolved through negotiations. SATAWU stated that it was not in support of the strike because they have full confidence in the bargaining forum process to resolve all outstanding issues.
The parties further agreed that they would subject the issues to a resolution process that will commence next week from Monday the 4th April 2016 until the 6th April 2016.
In the event that the matters are not resolved in the 3 days that have been set aside, the parties agreed to engage for an additional period from the 7th and 8th April 2016.
The three parties are all committed to the resolution process, which is aimed at ensuring that the matters are dealt with in the best interests of PRASA. The talks were held in a spirit of co-operation and the resolution process will ensure there is no disruption of the passenger rail service that is used by more than two million South Africans daily.
Even though UNTU had informed their members that the strike had been postponed from the 4th to the 11th of April 2016, we are not convinced that the strike will proceed because all efforts will be made to avoid any industrial action. The meeting agreed that our energies would be channeled to serve the best interests of PRASA whilst attending to all outstanding issues in a mature and responsible manner.
The acting Chairperson of the PRASA Board, Mr. William Steenkamp and his management team are confident that this cordial spirit will characterize the resolution process that will begin on the 4th of April next week.
For further media enquiries, please contact Mr. Victor Dlamini, PRASA Spokesperson
Email: victor.dlamini@prasa.com
Mobile: +27 82 652 4683