By Tendai Dhliwayo
JOHANNESBURG bus drivers, who downed tools on 27 February, have for the second time marched through the streets of the city as part of their protest against the new shift structure.
The drivers presented a memorandum to city manager Pascal Moloi - 11 days after presenting another one to Metrobus management.
Their action comes a day after representatives of Metrobus, South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) as well as the Committee for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration spent the whole of Sunday, 9 February locked in discussions and trying to reach a consensus.
Metrobus customer service manager, Ross van Blerk, said the drivers are demanding that some of the management resign, all disciplinary cases against some of the drivers be stopped and above all, an eight-hour shift.
The strike began when the drivers heeded a call by Samwu and Imatu to down tools following the introduction of a shift system, which workers allege makes them work 16 hours a day. Drivers are also demanding that those on temporary contracts be hired on a full-time basis.
Van Blerk said he was still optimistic and positive an agreement will be reached soon with the drivers.
