Satawu welcomes wage agreement, says safety concerns need addressing
The South African Transport & Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has welcomed the signing of a two-year wage agreement in the sector.
The agreement between the union and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry covers industry and extended bargaining unit employees.
Wages will increase 7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026, while night shift and cross-border allowances will also receive increases starting in March 2025.
Satawu’s spokesperson, Amanda Tshemese, said the agreement took longer than anticipated because there was no consensus between workers and employers.
“Eventually, we came to an agreement of two years, and workers have welcomed the agreement between the two parties. However, there is still a lot that needs to be done, discussed and agreed on that includes working hours, and we want at least three drivers in one truck.”
They said that the union would continue engaging with employers until all workers were safe.
“We will continue engagement with the employers on the outstanding issues as we meet every month. We have previously raised those issues, including safety. Workers are not safe, and their lives are at risk as we always see trucks being torched,” Tshemese said, adding that the intimidation of truck drivers should be treated as economic sabotage.
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