The union has dismissed a 17.5% wage offer recently agreed upon with the minority SA Transport and Allied Workers Union , calling the deal insufficient and outdated.

Untu argues that the proposal simply revives the terms of a 2022 agreement and fails to address mounting concerns over potential job losses. The union maintains that securing employment is non-negotiable, especially amid ongoing structural changes within Transnet.

"We rejected the offer because it mirrors the 2022 agreement , it’s out of touch with current realities,” said Untu Spokesperson Atenkosi Platjie. “At the core of our concern is the refusal by management to commit to a no-retrenchment clause.”

Recent reforms within Transnet, including its vertical separation and the introduction of the Transnet Freight Rail Operating Group, have added to the uncertainty. According to Untu, these shifts demand stronger protections for workers.

“With so much restructuring happening, we believe it’s only responsible to ensure our members’ jobs are secure,” Platjie added. “It’s 2025, and the cost of living is rising. Our members are feeling the pressure, we need a wage agreement that reflects today’s economic conditions.”

--ChannelAfrica--