SA in for serious trouble

[Luca Lategan]

SA might face big problems during May if a planned rail strike is to continue.

After years of good relations between transport parastatal, Transnet, and their workers, it looks like the whistle has finally blown for SATAWU and UTATU workers to down tools from the 10th of May because of wage disputes. Workers are demanding an increase of 15% from both Transnet and PRASA, even though they are completely different companies. PRASA is willing to give 8%. The planned strike by workers from all divisions of Transnet and PRASA might have a bigger impact on South Africa's economy than initially expected. According to a PRASA press release the unions "is to “close down all rail operations nationally”.” Should the strike go ahead all rail services will be suspended for the duration of the strike.

At the close of the month commuters was confused this morning as certain ticket offices refused to sell them monthly tickets for May. According to PRASA's Acting CEO Mr. Tumisang Kgaboesele, NO monthly tickets will be sold anywhere in South Africa during May because of the looming Transnet strike. He said that PRASA cannot afford to operate during strike actions any longer as the risk to their commuters and property is just too big. He called the example that Cape Metrorail is currently running 90 train sets instead of the 115 that is actually needed to run a good service. Should one of these sets be damaged by striking workers, the results would still be felt long after the strike is over. Currently personnel cost accounts for 30% of operational costs. Interestingly enough in the 80's, labour accounted for 38% of operating costs.

At this stage only weeklies are available to commuters, Kgaboesele told 567's John Mathom this afternoon that they will sell these weeklies at a quarter of the normal monthly price. He also went as far as to say that daily will also cost less. Whether the system will actually be able to sell tickets at this reduced rate is questionable. In the past commuters held Metrorail responsible to transport them during strike actions because they had already bought tickets. It looks like Metrorail is planning to duck this accountability because no one will be in possession of a valid ticket for that period. As a result the usual bus services offered by Metrorail during strike actions will also not be available.

The country's long distance rail services will also be affected and no further tickets will be sold by Shosholoza Meyl for the month of May. Travellers who already booked tickets will be contacted for alternative arrangements.

Written by Luca Lategan. For more information, please visit http://www.capemetrorail.co.za.

[Dylan Knott]

Noted I will report rail movements around the Helderberg on the day. Suspect Strand line will be open but with armed escorts.

[Luca Lategan]

Dylan, it looks like there will be NO trains, nowhere! No metros, no freight, no signalcabins, no plasserail, no trolleys, NOTHING. Heritage operators should looks at this, should the strike continue through the week then trains scheduled for the weekend face cancellation

[Derek Walker]

Gee, now thats a clever idea, and when the economy falls flat on its face then we know who to blame. How can you suspend train services for the duration of the WC is beyond me.

[Dylan Knott]

It remains to be seen if this will actually happen. I doubt it.

[Jerome West]

Just spoke to a union rep at Metrorail and he says they they hope that it will be all over before 11 June. But I wonder.

[Dylan Knott]

They intend to strike for a month?!!

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Expect strikes in the various sectors around the World Cup - most effective (and high publicity time) to engage in industrial action.

[Dylan Knott]

Fire them all!

[Morne Bothma]

Luca thanks for your news update! We planned a trip from CPT-DUR and back with SM for later this month but we suddenly had to adjust our trip due to the possible big strike, to this week, leaving this Wed. 5th Luckily we still got a return booking for this week, Jumping the gun a bit here!! We are just going for a joy ride to Durbs and back and are very much looking forward to it! Hopefully no trouble.

Thanks again Luca as I never heard anything in the news in the past weeks regarding this possible planned strike!

[Derek Walker]

I was listening to them talking about this on the radio today and I think this could be a messy one with demands running at 15% wage increases. And, while I do sympathise with the lower paid workers a strike like this could seriously damage the country, world cup or not. There just doesnt seem to be any sense of being realistic, strikes usually end up very messy, not only do they effect the company on strike but thousands of commuters, businesses, the economy and the reputation of the companies involved. Not to mention the attendant violence (and there will be lots of that) and intimidation. The point was made about the management getting huge salaries and how little the lowest paid earn, but still, will anything really be achieved here? personally I doubt it, probably it will be just another nail in the coffin.
When I worked for Transnet in the 80's they cut our bonus the one year and the union reps were very quickly to emphasize that it was illegal to strike because we were considered an essential service. Seems that sentiment has also been flushed down the loo.

[Jerome West]

I heard some time ago about the pending strike but it wasn’t for public consumption so I couldn’t post it. But on Thursday SMS was sent to stop all monthly ticket sales without the reason why which got tongues wagging. But soon the cat was out of the bag and management was battering down the hatches. Then Western Cape posted on their website which made it public news so I put the link on my PrasaRail twitter. As far as I can tell the unions, Transtel and PRASA are still in talks which mean that the strike can still be diverted. I am not part of any union so I don’t chose sides but please remember that this has been going for some time now.

[Luca Lategan]

Thanks again Luca as I never heard anything in the news in the past weeks regarding this possible planned strike!

Pleasure, Morne. I'm glad you still got a place. What did SM tell you? Did you ask them if trains are definately not going to run?

Enjoy your ride!

[Morne Bothma]

Thanks Luca, will most definately enjoy the trip!! SM said bookings for this week still fine but the consultant immediatly asked me when we are returning as they do not sell any tickets for next week! I feel sorry for people who made bookings in advance for next week and so forth if matters go down as planned, especialy for the train enthusiast like me, and also with no trains running over the SWC period the next chance for a ride would only be towards August.

[Steve Appleton]

This potential strike has serious implications for the upcoming Geoff Cooke tour starting 22 May. If that is curtailed or cancelled, the implications are huge for Geoff and the particpants. We could even possibly see the end of international steam tourism to SA.