South Africa’s largest union at the state-owned ports and freight rail operator, Transnet, has threatened to go on strike after salary negotiations reached a deadlock.
The United National Transport Union (UNTU), which represents more than half of Transnet’s 46,000 employees, said it rejected the company’s offer of a 6% annual wage increase for the first two years starting April 1, and 5.5% in the third year. The union is demanding a 10% raise.
Transnet
“The United National Transport Union and Transnet have officially reached a deadlock in the 2025-26 salary and wage negotiations following a failed conciliation process by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA),” UNTU said in a statement on Monday.
Transnet, in response, said it remained committed to concluding negotiations while working to turn the company around for the benefit of both the business and the South African economy.
A potential strike could severely disrupt shipments of key exports such as coal, iron ore, and agricultural products like citrus. The threat of industrial action comes at a fragile time for South Africa’s economy, already facing global trade uncertainty following US President Donald Trump’s broad-based tariff hikes.
In 2022, a similar strike cost mining companies an estimated R815 million per day, according to the Minerals Council South Africa.
The CCMA will now issue a certificate of non-resolution, legally allowing UNTU to initiate strike action.
“The time has come to mobilize. The time has come to negotiate on the streets,” UNTU warned.
In other news – Musa Mseleku and his fifth wife, MaKhwela expecting their first baby
Congratulations are in order for popular polygamist and reality TV personality Musa Mseleku, who is expecting a child with his fifth wife, Samke ‘MaKhwela’ Khwela. The exciting announcement was made during a recent episode of the much-talked-about eighth season of Uthando Nes’thembu, a show that follows the lives of Mseleku and his wives.
The news of MaKhwela’s pregnancy has generated a buzz across social media and sparked conversations about family, love, and tradition in modern South Africa. This marks Mseleku’s 11th child, and his first with MaKhwela, who was introduced to the public as his newest wife earlier this season. Read More