MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has been striking since Thursday, 6 October, and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) joined the strike on Monday, 10 October.
Both are labour unions of workers of the state-owned Transnet.
Arising from wage disputes the strike will paralyse freight rail service and the export of minerals and cargo from and to ports.
On Monday, 10 October, the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) called for the urgent resolution of the Transnet wage negotiations to maintain the supply chains.
The association said the ongoing impasse between recognised unions and Transnet is devastating to the economy — much worse even than the ongoing energy crisis.
Dr Juanita Maree, chief executive officer of Saaff said that according to the latest SARS merchandise stats, R343 billion worth of goods were traded (imports and exports) in August.
"If we consider that 70% of merchandise is processed via the ocean modality, the current inactivity blocks more than R8 billion worth of goods each day. Combined with the ripple effect, the impact is more than the country can absorb, given the current economic climate," said Maree.
Busisiwe Mahlaba, spokesperson for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Mossel Bay notes in a statement date Tuesday, 11 October, that "TNPA Port of Mossel Bay Marine Services are fully operational and vessel movements remain uninterrupted".
She noted that port operations had not been impacted. Business continuity plans had been activated to ensure operations were minimally impacted, should the port be affected by the strike action.
Transet noted in a statement on Tuesday, 4 October, that its wage bill made up more than 66 percent of monthly operating costs and that was not sustainable, particularly given the current operational and financial performance.
Transnet applied to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), a state agency that mediates labour disputes, for further talks with the unions. Talks continued through the past week.
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