Cosatu's Tony Ehrenreich - gallo images

We’ve heard about the proposed nationwide strike action tomorrow. I have made contact with Metrorail and Golden Arrow Bus Service to see if there will be any alternate arrangements or if they would be affected at all. I also spoke to Tony Ehrenreich of Cosatu earlier to get some more information around the Cape Town leg of the strike and he had this to say:

“The march in Cape Town starts tomorrow at 10h30 am from Keisergraght Street and from there it will proceed to Parliament where a memorandum will be handed over to the Labour Minister. We have arranged free trains to transport people to the City and back. And just so you know Baydu all workers whether Cosatu members or not, are welcome to participate and are legally protected to strike tomorrow”

* The proposed strike happens tomorrow Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10h30 am

This from Riana at Metrorail:

The travelling public is advised that the nation-wide COSATU protest action tomorrow Wednesday 7 March 2012 is not expected to affect morning and afternoon peak trains in Cape Town. Some 20 000 participants are expected – COSATU has committed to deploy marshals to ensure order during the proceedings. Participants displaying the agreed tokens may use free off-peak trains (9am – 2pm) on the day.

This from Golden Arrow Bus Service:

BUS SERVICES DURING COSATU AND NACTU STRIKE

The national strike scheduled for 7 March 2012, as declared by COSATU and NACTU to protest tolling and labour broking will in principle be supported by affiliated employees of Golden Arrow Bus Services. The strike is legal and the principle of no work, no pay, and no discipline will apply.

Notwithstanding this, a number of our drivers have indicated that they will report for work where after they will join the march in the City. As the strike is on a voluntary basis, it is difficult to ascertain the exact extent to which scheduled services will be disrupted. However, it is our considered anticipation that the strike will not cause services to be significantly disrupted.

Golden Arrow will make every effort to harness all available operational capacities on the day to continue providing services according to schedule as far as possible. Concerned passengers can call 0800 65 64 63 for service status updates, which we will strive to keep as current as possible given the circumstances.

Issued by: FE Meyer, General Manager GABS

Will keep you updated if anything else unfolds

Baydu