Protesters demand premier

2010-05-14 16:06

Johannesburg – Crowds of unionists refused to hand over a memorandum outside the Gauteng premier's office on Friday, because she did not appear in person.

"We will be back and we will see the premier (Nomvula Mokonyane)," one of the organisers announced.

Earlier, workers shouted: "Premier come out. We don't want your people, we want to see you."

The SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and Communication Workers' Union (CWU) marched to the Gauteng legislature to hand over a memorandum against labour brokers.

However, Satawu and Utatu were really on their way to Transnet's offices in Parktown, where striking workers were planning to protest for better wages.

Refuse to handover memorandum

A police Nyala pulled up outside the premier's office when protesters became angry.

The crowd refused to give the memorandum to Education MEC Barbara Creecy and former finance MEC Ignatius Jacobs.

The Transnet unions – still accompanied by the CWU members – then started marching to Parktown. Traffic was heavily congested.

Heavily armed police kept a close eye on the protesters, some of whom were drinking liquor.

Satawu, Utatu and the SA Railway and Harbour Workers' Union are demanding a 15% wage increase.

Transnet initially offered workers an 8% salary increase. It later increased its offer to 11%, but wanted concessions on maternity leave, temporary workers and retrenchments.

The protesting workers were demanding the resignation of Transnet human resources chief executive officer Pradeep Maharaj.

Some carried placards reading: "We are going to dip you into very hot atchar", and "Maharaj, this is not samoosa-land, f-off back to India... this is not a spice shop."

Complaints

Train assistant Aubrey Maleka said Transnet was running a "circus operation".

A Transnet artisan in Pretoria, Janna Nigrine, 54, said he had to run his household with a take-home salary of R5 000.

"If management gives half their salaries to the workers on my level we would be able to live better lives. For me to earn such a salary at my age is not on."

Workers complained that management was rewarded with an almost 100% increase last year.

A small truck equipped with sound equipment and carrying speakers met the protesters at the premier's office.

Union leaders addressed workers about salary increases and labour brokering.

"We must fight to say that labour brokers are not the solution. President Zuma we voted for you so we expect results," one of the union leaders said.

- SAPA