03 April 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is outraged by Transnet’s blatant disregard for collective bargaining and fair labour practices. FEDUSA stands in full support of its affiliate, the United National Transport Union (UNTU), in its fight against the unlawful and unilateral implementation of a wage agreement that was entered into with a minority union in Transnet—an act that threatens to destabilise the workforce and reverse hard-won labour rights.
For too long, workers at Transnet have had to endure delays, bad faith negotiations, and empty promises while executives sit comfortably, making decisions that destroy livelihoods. Now, in an unacceptable display of arrogance, Transnet has chosen to bulldoze through a wage agreement with a minority union, disregarding due process and ignoring the concerns of the majority workforce.
UNTU has taken the correct legal steps by referring the dispute to the Bargaining Council under Section 64(4) and (5) of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), giving Transnet 48 hours to halt this reckless and unlawful wage implementation. In a moment of sanity, just before the S64 deadline expired, Transnet conceded not to implement the agreement unilaterally. Had they not done so, UNTU members would have rightfully exercised their legal right to protected industrial action—and FEDUSA would have, and will continue, to back its affiliate every step of the way.
WORKERS MUST NOT PAY THE PRICE FOR TRANSNET’S FAILURES
The situation at Transnet is dire and unsustainable, not because of workers, but because of corporate mismanagement, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. The company’s continued failures have already crippled South Africa’s supply chain and cost the economy billions. Yet, instead of fixing what is broken, Transnet wants to silence workers by ignoring their voices and undermining their rights.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transport remains silent, watching from the sidelines as Transnet spirals further into chaos. FEDUSA will not tolerate inaction! The department has a legal and moral duty to step in and ensure that Transnet respects the collective bargaining process.
THE BARGAINING COUNCIL CANNOT BE A DEAD-END FOR WORKERS!
The constant delays in the Bargaining Council are unacceptable. Workers cannot wait indefinitely while bureaucratic inefficiencies and political gamesmanship drag out disputes. FEDUSA demands immediate reform of these processes to prevent further injustices.
Every day of delay means another worker struggles to provide for their family. Every delay deepens the economic hardship workers face due to Transnet’s failures. The longer these disputes drag on, the greater the damage to labour relations and economic stability.
FEDUSA DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION!
FEDUSA demands that:
• Transnet IMMEDIATELY engages in a fair bargaining process and engages with our affiliate, UNTU, the majority union in Transnet, to find an amicable solution.
The Department of Transport takes responsibility for ensuring that Transnet does not trample on workers’ rights.
The Transnet Bargaining Council urgently resolves this dispute and stops using administrative red tape to block justice for the workers.
FEDUSA will not stand by while Transnet undermines its workers, ignores legal frameworks, and threatens economic stability. The federation is prepared to mobilise, escalate action, and take this fight to every level necessary until justice is served.
We call on all UNTU members to remain united and vigilant as this matter unfolds.
END.