Union targeting Transnet, group chief claims

NUMSA is targeting Transnet, using the parastatal as a vehicle to come at government directly, Transnet group chief executive Brian Molefe said yesterday.

Molefe said in Johannesburg yesterday Numsa had a political agenda to achieve with the strikes it had started at Transnet's Eastern Cape operations.

Numsa members went on strike last week at Transnet's Uitenhage engineering plant.

Earlier this year, a violent and protracted strike was held at the Ngqura harbour container terminals.

"Numsa is targeting Transnet ... it is where [it] can come at government directly, Molefe said.

There were no shop floor or salary demands by the 35 striking workers in Uitenhage belonging to Numsa, according to the company's books.

"Their only demand is to be recognised as a union. They need more than 30% representation of the workforce."

Numsa Eastern Cape regional secretary Phumzile Nodongwe said Transnet was again not recognising the union. - Cindy Preller