Rail Strike to Affect Struggling Commuters | Western Cape Government

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Rail Strike to Affect Struggling Commuters

29 April 2010
Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle has called for a meeting with key players in public transport in the province to pursue ways to mitigate the impact of the imminent rail strike.

This follows the decision by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions (UTATU) to embark on joint strike against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet to close down all rail operations nationally from Monday, 10 May 2010.

I will hold an urgent meeting with Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and all other bus companies operating in the province and other key players in public transport to find a solution to ensure that there is reliable alternative transport for more than half a million rail commuters that will be left stranded by the strike said Carlisle.

Minister Carlisle emphasised that a rail strike is an unfair inconvenience of commuters who rely on trains for transport.

While I understand that the unions are exercising their right to strike it is unfair on commuters who depend entirely on trains for transport to bear the brunt of wage disputes or any other labour deadlock between Metrorail and SATAWU. The unions are effectively putting a gun to the head of the commuter struggling to put food on the table.

The Minister concluded that it is irresponsible for union to embark on strikes without taking into due consideration the impact of their protest on the lives of commuters.

Media Enquiries: 


Solly Malatsi
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Transport and Public Works
Western Cape Provincial Government
Cell: 083 641 9691
Tel: 021 483 8954