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On Monday, some Gautrain workers affiliated with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) initiated an indefinite strike due to wage disputes. They have ceased working over a 13% wage increase that they have been demanding from Bombela Operating Company since April.
Last week, NUMSA served the company that operates the Gautrain with a 48-hour strike notice.
The group gathered at the Maintenance Workshop Depot in Midrand.
Visibly disgruntled workers could be seen burning tires and debris to barricade the road leading to the Gautrain’s crucial Maintenance Workshop Depot.
Though the strike is not violent, the police’s public order unit kept a watchful eye on the industrial action.
On Sunday, the union warned of possible disruptions to the operation of the rail system.
However, the Bombela Operating Company assured Gautrain commuters that contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact of the strike.
One of the plans includes transporting passengers in buses from various stations.
**SCUFFLES ARISE BETWEEN PRIVATE SECURITY AND STRIKING WORKERS**
There have been scuffles between private security and the striking NUMSA-affiliated Gautrain workers.
The disgruntled workers barricaded the road leading to the Gautrain’s maintenance workshop depot.
The guards and striking workers clashed over the burning of tires that were placed to block the road leading to the depot.
Tensions gradually simmered between the workers and Fidelity private security guards.
Although South Africa Police Service (SAPS) members were present, they did not intervene to quell the tension but continued to monitor the situation.
“There was just a disagreement in terms of where they should be standing for the picket – we have resolved this with the police, and we have shifted our position,” said NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
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