Union welcomes signing of agreement

THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has welcomed the signing of a wage agreement for the bus passenger sector.

Besides securing across the board wage increases, the union also secured the burning demand for bosses to contribute to primary healthcare cover for workers.

Below is a breakdown of the agreement:

• It is a two-year agreement valid from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026 and this means there will be back pay.

• The union secured the demand for primary healthcare which was a burning demand from workers. Up until now, bosses were unwilling to offer any kind of medical aid or medical insurance. Affinity Reef is the primary healthcare cover for employees.

• The employer contribution will not to exceed R221 per month. This benefit will be implemented on the first day of the month, following the month in which the agreement is extended by the Minister of Employment and Labour.

• The union secured an across the board increase of 5% on the rate of pay which will be implemented from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025. In the second year of the agreement an increase of 6,5% on the base rate of pay will be implemented from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026.

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• From 1 April 2024 the minimum hourly rate will increase to R48,15 and from 1 April 2025 it will increase to R51,28 until March 2026.

• Travel allowance will increase to R786, 48 travel effective from 1 April 2024. It will increase to R837, 60 in the second year of the agreement on 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026.

• The dual driver allowance has been increased to R476,36 for the first year effective 1 April 2024 and in the second year it will increase to R507, 32 on 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026.

Numsa general-secretary, Irvin Jim said: "This year, the talks were very tough because of the poor state of the economy. However, we still managed to secure increases, as well as to make a breakthrough on the burning demand for medical insurance cover. Numsa officials must be commended for a job well done."