- Gautrain workers affiliated with NUMSA have started an indefinite strike.
- NUMSA is demanding a 13% wage increase, improved medical aid contributions, and a housing allowance.NUMSA’s last wage agreement expired in June 2024.
- Gautrain management has implemented contingency plans to prevent service disruptions.
Gautrain workers affiliated with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) have initiated an indefinite strike at the rail service’s Maintenance Workshop Depot in Midrand.
Are Gautrain services affected by NUMSA strike?
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Despite the industrial action, Gautrain services remain operational.
In a statement, Gautrain reassured passengers, saying:
“Please note that Gautrain services are not affected by the NUMSA strike. We will keep customers updated on any changes in this regard.”
NUMSA has warned passengers of potential disruptions, but Gautrain management has implemented contingency plans to ensure services continue without interruption.
Watch: Protesters clash with private security
As the strike commenced, tensions escalated, resulting in clashes between striking workers and private security personnel.
Video footage circulating on social media shows protesters confronting security forces, spotlighting the volatile atmosphere at the Maintenance Workshop Depot.
What we know about the Gautrain NUMSA strike
The strike stems from a deadlock in wage negotiations between NUMSA and the Bombela Operating Company (BOC), which operates Gautrain.
NUMSA issued a 48-hour strike notice to the BOC management, beginning at 06:00 on Monday.
The strike follows a previous wage agreement that expired in June 2024. The agreement, signed in July 2023, included an 8% wage increase, a 10% increase in housing allowance, a 5% transport allowance, a R500 performance bonus increase, a night shift allowance, and the maintenance of the Gautrain staff card.
Despite the previous agreement, NUMSA now demands further increases and additional compensation for overtime work.
They argue that the BOC’s transition from a five-day to a six-day operation without compensating workers for the extra day is unfair.
Gautrain, which recently celebrated 14 years of operation, remains a critical transportation network in Gauteng, connecting Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, and OR Tambo International Airport.
The system includes 10 stations, 96 rail cars, and a fleet of buses and midibuses.
The current concession agreement between the Gauteng government and BOC will end in 2026, with bids for the next concessionaire already being invited.