Road freight talks to continue

Wage negotiations between the Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA), workers unions and cash-in-transit sector companies were expected to continue on Sunday, said the RFEA.

The unions on Saturday distanced themselves from an alleged settlement reached between the employers and individuals from the cash-in-transit sector.

RFEA's Executive Officer, Magretia Brown-Engelbrecht said in a statement that three cash-in-transit member companies signed an agreement with the Motor Transport Workers Union (MTWU) members on Friday night.

“This agreement was not sanctioned by the RFEA or any of the unions,” she said in a statement.

Spokesman for South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) said the document which was signed was fraudulent.

“(The document) was signed by the employers and some coerced drunkards in a liquor bar without mandate or any rights in accordance to the bargaining council's rules and protocols.”

The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry also distanced itself from the agreement.

“The parties do not recognise this so-called agreement,” spokeswoman Karen Daniels said in a statement.

Workers in the freight transport sector are on strike over wages.

Their unions are calling for a 12 percent pay demand after rejecting a lower offer tabled by employers on Tuesday.

The Labour Court on Friday issued an interdict after the strike turned violent.

In Pinetown, Durban, striking truck drivers set a truck on fire on Henwood Road.

On Wednesday, a truck was stoned by protesters in Kempton Park.

In Germiston, protesters stopped a truck with three occupants.

Two assistants to the truck driver were hospitalised after being assaulted by the protesters.

The truck was set alight.

The workers unions have condemned the violence. - Sapa