The ongoing strike by truck drivers, which is holding South Africa at ransom, may now bleed into other transport sectors.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) says the strike action may be expanded into the ports and rail industry this week. Satawu spokesperson Vincent Masoga says the union has applied to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration for permission to extend the strike into these additional sectors.

According to Masoga, wage negotiations are expected to continue between the union and employers on Tuesday.

Satawu has indicated that it is willing to negotiate on its 12% wage increase demand should the employers, including the Road Freight Employers Association, be willing to do the same.

“We’re prepared to even take 10%, but the employers are not budging at all,” states Masoga.

The unions involved in the truck drivers’ strike say action continued on Saturday, but they are hopeful an agreement will be reached during negotiations this week.

“We are positive that we might find a solution because there is a lot at stake,” the Motor Transport Workers Union’s Dirk White says.

“This strike is not about political play – people can lose their jobs,” he reiterates.