SATAWU puts workers at risk

Dear Editor

The DA in the Western Cape supports Metrorail’s bid for a permanent interdict barring its employees from striking over issues that are being negotiated at national level. Workers engaged in protest action last month despite an interim order preventing them doing so. We call on the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) in the Western Cape to put their own interests aside in favour of that of the many commuters who rely on rail transport to get to work and school.

Since the regional labour conflict erupted early last month, 160 employees failed to show up to work, and there has been a flare-up of vandalism and sabotage.

These actions have cost our commuters and our local economy dearly. In my capacity as Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, I will write to the Regional Manager for Metrorail in the Western Cape, Richard Walker, requesting that he furnishes the committee with a report on the impact of the damages.

The report must include:

• The extent of the material damage caused by vandalism.
• The total cost of all damage caused by the recent vandalism.
• Details regarding any plans for replacing the material vandalised beyond repair.
• The projected cost for replacing material that has been vandalised beyond repair.
• The plans that are in place to deal with the impact on commuters by the vandalism.

Strike action is an important tool in pursuing workers’ interests. It is protected by the constitution, but it must not be abused. SATAWU in the Western Cape is holding commuters hostage with illegal strike action. Employers have affirmed that late-coming due to train delays will not result in loss of employment. Yet the losses that business will suffer as a result of delays will surely be to the detriment of the workers in the province.

We must ensure that ours is a democratic and fair society, where everyone can access jobs and education through effective public transport. We cannot allow for an illegal strike to prevent us from making progress in the Western Cape.

Regards

Adv. Lennit Max, MPP