South Africa bus strike continues: Commuters face difficulties

No end in sight to the nationwide bus strike that left many commuters stranded last week.

SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) members went on strike on Friday over wage disputes.

They have since confirmed the strikes will continue today.

Labour is demanding a wage increase of 18%, while the employer is offering 2.5%.

Satawu spokesman Vincent Masoga told the media that no conclusion had been reached in the wage talks so far.

He confirmed that the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) had put a proposal on the table, but could not give further details.

“We are still consulting our members on that proposed offer, as well as on the way forward,” Masoga said.

Thousands of commuters in Port Elizabeth’s townships were also left to cram onto taxis on Monday when the city’s Algoa buses did not pitch up - confirming that the company would not be operating.

“We had to stand in queues for more than an hour again this morning for taxis,” said a colleague, “Don’t know if we are going to travel like this for the coming weeks.”