Striking truckers storm Park Station - report

2012-09-26 15:22

(Picture: AFP)

Johannesburg - Striking truck drivers on Wednesday stormed their way into Park Station, according to Eye Witness News (EWN).

Hundreds of striking drivers had earlier gathered Beyers Naudé Square in the Johannesburg city centre, before storming the station, EWN said.

Leaders of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) had asked the group to disperse from the square.

According to EWN, axe- and panga-wielding strikers had earlier begun attacking working drivers on the N2 Highway in Cleveland, East of Johannesburg

"All the transport vehicles are being stoned. The protesters are running around with pangas and axes," a witness told the website.

Incidents of intimidation and violence against working truck drivers have been reported mostly on Gauteng's East Rand.

Meanwhile, Sapa reported that the Satawu vowed to intensify the strike in the road freight transport sector in a bid to get the employers to the negotiating table.

"All parties have reached a deadlock and none of them are participating in any talks at the moment," said spokesperson Vincent Masoga in a statement.

"We will use this opportunity to mobilise all our members and encourage them to unite in a clear purpose of putting as much pressure as possible for the employers to revert back to the negotiations table."

The strike over wages by more than 20 000 workers continued on Wednesday with unions reverting to a 12% pay demand after rejecting a lower offer by employers.

Workers in the sector embarked on a protected strike on Monday after wage negotiations deadlocked.

Masoga said the union intended to "ignite" other strikes in the maritime and freight rail industries, in solidarity with the current strike, to ensure no goods were moved until the road freight workers' demands were met.

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- News24