Gautrain workers want to see Bombela's finances

The members of the National Union of Transport (Untu) are categorical: the Bombela operating company (BOC), which operates the Gautrain, should open its books and show, among other things, the bonuses paid to leaders in recent years.

Gauteng's high-speed Gautrain operations were severely disrupted on Monday when Untu, who represents 90 percent of Bombela's staff, went on strike for higher wages and benefits.

Bombela announced on Sunday that trains would only operate during Peak Period and only between Centurion, Sandton and Park stations

A bus service was arranged to bring pbadengers Sandton and Rhodesfield stations at OR Tambo International Airport, but it was eventually reduced

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Untu members gathered at the Gautrain train and bus depot in Midrand. At one point police shot at them some stun grenades

Bombela refused to disclose his financial statements to the union, even on a confidential basis.

BOC offered a salary increase of 8.5%, while Untu continues to "

" We remain blind, because the employer [has] has until now did not give the union an overview of BOC's financial situation, "says Untu Secretary General Steve Harris. "BOC claims to be contractually obliged to pay its profits to a French company, but refuses to disclose its profits."

According to Sonja Carstens, spokesman for Untu, Gautrain drivers earn between R6,800 and R1,444 per month and train drivers between R14,448 and R23,754 per month.

Bombela staff also receives a monthly shelter allowance of R450 and a transport allowance of R24 per month.

Carstens says the first quarter reports for duty at the Midrand deposit early in the morning at 3:00 am and the last quarter ends at 23:15

The depot is in an isolated area and, early in the morning and late at night there is no public transport available. It's a security problem for Untu members, she says.

They often end up sleeping at work in a container that was used as a resting place

Untu asked the employer to provide a minibus to the transport workers, She says the workers live away from work because They can not lodge along the Gautrain Road, which includes areas where real estate prices are high, such as Sandton, Rosebank and Centurion.

Untu insists on an increase in the transport allowance to R65 per month, and a housing allowance of R1,600.

According to Carstens, Bombela had already agreed in writing to pay workers bonuses of 39; encouragement. Untu insists that this premium be paid on the profits of the company, but Bombela now refuses, saying that this should be part of the salary basket available.

The strike will continue indefinitely until Untu's demands are met or its members decide to return to work. said Carstens

Bombela could not be reached for comment.