Metrobus strike: MD steps in

2003-04-03 13:22

Johannesburg - The managing director of Metrobus has intervened to try and resolve the problems between the transport company and striking employees.

The latest bus strike, affecting about 60 000 daily commuters, started on February 27 and arose from a change in the shift-work roster in terms of which drivers are required to work up to 14 hours a day.

Metrobus executive director Ayanda Vilikazi said on Thursday the managing director Asokan Naidu met the striking unions - the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal and allied Trade Unions (Imatu) - on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"The unions have agreed to look into the current shift system. Naidu has tried also to solicit information from the union as to what the real issues of the strike are."

Vilikazi said the company had received a commitment from the unions to identify problems with the new current shifts.

"The unions will identify problem areas and communicate recommendations on how they can be addressed. The union seems to be very positive about the whole situation and may have realised that they have to end the strike. We are confident that we will find a solution and if so the Metrobus service will be in full swing by Monday."

On Tuesday, Metrobus management appealed to all striking employees to return to work on or before Thursday so that commuter transport could be resumed.

By Wednesday, Metrobus was warning workers they would be locked out if they failed to return by Thursday.

Vilikazi said about 20 buses were operating by Thursday morning after a few drivers had returned to work.

- SAPA