JOHANNESBURG: Unions and employers yesterday sealed a deal to end a three-week-long mass truck drivers strike in South Africa, officials said.
The pay hikes ranging between eight and 10 percent will be staggered over three years starting in March next year.
“We are very very pleased to announce that a settlement has been reached. This three-year agreement secures stability in the industry for a long time to come,” said Dave Behrens, president of the national bargaining council for the truckers.
Employers were just as happy with the deal. The president of The Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA) Penwell Lunga declared that “we are comfortable with this deal.”
In March next year the drivers will get a 10 percent increase. A year later they will enjoy a raise of eight percent on their pay checks and a 0.25 percent top-up six months later.
A nine percent increase will come into effect in March 2015.
The strike by thousands of truckers has hit deliveries of supplies from cash for ATMs to fuel across the country, while scores of trucks have been torched and drivers intimidated.
Lunga told AFP the strike has cost the industry 3.6 billion rands ($418 million/322 million euros) over the past three weeks.
The drivers are to return behind the wheel immediately, said their employers.
“We expect the drivers to go back to work as early as now,” said Lunga.
FROM: AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
S. African truckers sign deal to end pay strike
