The wage talks currently taking place between the Road Freight Employers’ Association (RFEA) and four transport unions are at a stalemate as no agreement can be reached.

Catherine Larkin of the RFEA says that after two days of negotiations, there is still no mutual consensus on the wages matter.

The unions want a 9% wage increase while the RFEA is standing by its proposed increase of 7%.

The unions have not accepted any offer made by the association. The latest offer made was that allowances be increased by 6.5% and drivers who transport hazardous materials receive additional payment.

“We believe that this offer is reasonable based on current economic indicators and are disappointed that the unions remain at their current position,” Larkin explains.

All four unions which consist of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, the Motor Transport Workers’ Union, the Professional Transport Workers’ Union (PTAWU) and the Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, rejected the offer.

PTAWU general secretary, Reckson Baloyi, says the unions will embark on a protected strike this month, once they have been issued with a certificate by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

He warns that ATMs could run dry because cash-in-transit companies will be affected and that petrol stations could be left empty.

“Our economy desperately needs road freight to assist with supply of goods, passenger transport and money distribution to and from the clients such as retailers,” says Baloyi.

The association states that although no further meetings have been scheduled, it remains committed to resolving the dispute.