South Africa Satawu to extend strike to port workers

SA Satawu to extend strike to port workers

http://mg.co.za/article/2012-10-07-satawu-to-extend-strike-to-port-workers

07 OCT 2012 14:35 - SAPA

A strike by truck drivers is set to spread to rail and port workers this week, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union said.

Satawu spokesperson Vincent Masoga said on Sunday the union had applied at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration for permission to expand the strike to ports and railways. 
Masoga said the union would continue to negotiate with employers, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
However, he added that relations and trust with the employer were worsening. "We are losing confidence," Masoga said.
Satawu has been asking for a 12% wage increase but was prepared to negotiate a compromise if the employers, including the Road Freight Employers' Association (RFEA), were willing to also compromise. "We're prepared to even take 10% but the guys are not budging at all," Masoga said.
He accused RFEA of dishonesty and said a "double-digit" increase only amounted to nine 9% over three years.
"They are misrepresenting what they sent. They are lying to the public," Masoga said. – Sapa