Gautrain has announced a contingency plan for essential train and bus services. This comes after workers affiliated with the United National Transport Union (Untu) downed tools on Monday following a deadlock in wage negotiations.

The union has rejected operating company Bombela’s offer of an 8% salary increase across the board. The Union is seeking a 10% increase, a housing allowance of R1 600 as well as a transport allowance and night shift allowance.

Contingency plan

As part of its contingency plan Gautrain introduced a train service between OR Tambo and Sandton stations, stopping at Rhodesfield station. Wednesday the service provider will open Rosebank station as well and trains will also stop at Rosebank during the peak periods.

“The Rosebank bus routes will also be operating during peak periods starting tomorrow morning,” explained Gautrain spokesperson Kes Nayager.

Bombela clarifies UNTU’s demands

Meanwhile the Bombela Operating Company has come out to clarify the demands made by UNTU.

“Reports that UNTU’s demand is for a 10% increase is both misleading and untrue. UNTU is demanding the following: A 10% basic increase on salary, plus various allowances reaching increases of up to 100% on some. UNTU is also demanding a R20 000 per annum unconditional bonus per employee. The above increases equates to 19.5% and not the publicised 10%,”Gautrain said in a statement.

“The Company has offered an 8.6% across the board increase. In the current economic climate, we believe this to be a generous offer, especially when considering that annually, over the last 5 years, the Company has granted increases in excess of 8%, which was significantly above inflation,” it added.