The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has announced that it is balloting its members at Gautrain to determine whether they will embark on a strike following a deadlock in wage negotiations with the Bombela Operating Company, which manages the rapid rail service.
The union has rejected Bombela’s offer of a 4.2% wage increase, demanding instead a 7% across-the-board raise. NUMSA argues that the current proposal fails to address the rising cost of living, which has placed severe financial strain on workers.
“A Meager Increase Amid Soaring Living Costs”
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola criticized the offer as “unacceptable,” stating that management was “out of touch” with the economic realities faced by workers.
“The working class in this country is really going through a lot. The cost of living is extremely high, and for Bombela to offer only 4.2%—justifying it by citing low CPI (Consumer Price Index)—is frankly insulting,” Hlubi-Majola said.
She highlighted key financial pressures, including petrol prices nearing R22 per litre, Eskom’s 12% tariff hike, and the fact that many workers support multiple unemployed family members on salaries as low as R5,400 per month. Even Gautrain’s lowest-paid workers, such as cleaners earning around R9,000, would see minimal relief from a 4.2% adjustment.
Strike Looms as Talks Collapse
NUMSA has secured a strike certificate from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA), allowing it to proceed with industrial action after a 48-hour notice period. The union is currently consulting its members on whether to strike and when such action would take place.
Despite the looming strike threat, NUMSA has urged Bombela to return to negotiations. “We continue to call on management to come back to the table so we can find a resolution,” Hlubi-Majola said.
Bombela Operating Company has yet to issue a public response to NUMSA’s demands or the potential strike.
The dispute underscores growing tensions over wages in South Africa, where inflation and unemployment continue to squeeze household budgets. If NUMSA proceeds with a strike, Gautrain commuters could face significant disruptions in the coming weeks.
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