Ongoing Transnet strike leaves 30 vessels stuck in South African harbours

As the strike continues to hit Transnet, workers have left the economy crippled and there are almost 30 vessels stuck across the country.

Media reports in South Africa suggest that the Transnet strike has caused major blows to the economy and that Transnet harbours – apart from East London – have been hit by mass stay-aways as a strike intensifies.

News24 posted that some 28 Transnet vessels were in limbo outside of terminals or waiting to be given a dock on Monday.

The Richards Bay terminal had manning levels (the number of people required for work) of 8% with 17 vessels outside and 13 vessels on the berth, the transport utility said in a note to port customers, which News24 Business has seen. While Cape Town’s multi-purpose terminal had 13% manning levels, there were no vessels outside on Monday and five fishing vessels were berthing.

According to Transnet’s general manager for commercial and planning Michelle Van Buren Schele, she said the situation remains unchanged.

“The situation regarding the industrial action remains unchanged but most of the Transnet Port Terminals are experiencing a decline in the manning levels. The bulk and break-bulk terminals are activating business continuity plans to ensure operations are minimally impacted by the illegal strike action,” said Van Buren Schele.

The website has it that Saldanha’s iron ore terminal had 10% manning levels with three vessels outside and two vessels berthing while the Saldanha multi-purpose terminal had 13% manning levels with two vessels berthing.

However, the East London multi-purpose terminal had 100% manning levels with no vessels waiting and no vessels berthing.

In a statement, Transnet said that the first day of conciliation talks with the United National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA), adjourned in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“The parties have agreed and signed on the picketing rules and picketing sites, and remain willing to find a solution on the wage negotiations, under the auspices of the CCMA. The parties to the negotiations are considering alternative proposals and will reconvene on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 to take the process forward,” the statement said.

While the talks are continuing, Satawu said Transnet tabled a new offer between 4.25% – 5% across the board, but that the union would reject the so-called revised offer.

“The employer is insulting us and our members because they know very well that the inflation rate in this country is 7.6%, and what the employer is offering us is way below the inflation rate,” the Satawu statement said.

Main Image: Transnet Port/SABC News