Unions promise a harbour strike

May 24, 2005
Author: P&S

Members of the powerful South African Transport & Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) have announced that they intend calling a countrywide strike next week at the harbours.

“The country’s ports will grind to a halt next week when 8,000 workers down their tools following failed negotiations between SATAWU, the National Ports Authority and SA Port Operations,” said a Satawu spokesman today (Tuesday).

National media officer Ronnie Mamba said that further details of the action including the reasons will be disclosed at a press conference to be held in Johannesburg on Thursday, 26 May 2005.

In February this year Satawu called off a planned port strike over dissatisfaction with wage agreements and the appointment of several port managers, saying the matter remained unresolved and would be taken up again in the future.