Prasa Statement on Planned Strike by Satawu And Utatu

14 May 2010

SATAWU and UTATU have served PRASA with a notice to strike, the strike will commence on Monday the 17^th of May 2010 at 00:01.

PRASA has taken steps to secure the safety of commuters during the planned strike action. To this end, PRASA will suspend all rail operations from Monday the 17th of May.

PRASA and Labour have been in negotiations aimed at modernizing the Conditions of Service since October 2009, these have also included the annual wage negotiations. The overall aim of the planned changes is to bring about the necessary efficiencies in the operations of PRASA, reduce the cost of rail operations and improve public transport provision. As an example, the planned shift system will enable PRASA to run trains for over 16 hours a day and do maintenance work in the off-peak periods i.e. at night and over weekends, without incurring additional costs for overtime and allowances.

Due to this strike action, PRASA is left with no option but:

• To implement the 8% wage offer to Labour;
• To implement the new Conditions of Service by 1st June 2010; and
• To implement the 4 Months Maternity leave provision with full pay.

PRASA submits a sincere apology for the disruption and inconvenience commuters will suffer as a result of the strike. Commuters are urged to make alternative transport arrangements.

PRASA hopes that an amicable solution will soon be found, one that protects the long-term business imperatives of this Public Company and secures its future.

The No Work No Pay principle will apply.