15 Aug 2009
A South African rail workers' union has warned that its members are ready to go on a strike next week if pay raise talks are not resumed.

The United Transport and Allied Union (UTATU) said on Saturday that the planned strike was in response to operator Metrorail's walking out of the wage negotiation and signing on with another union, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU).

Since taking office in May, President Jacob Zuma has faced several strikes, proving a tough challenge to his authority. However, in the past few weeks several major unions have increased pressure on Zuma, threatening planned strikes and securing settlements that have raised concerns.

State power firm Eskom said on Thursday the agreement's concession over pay and a housing policy had helped avert a strike by the country's largest union that threatened last week to cut power - an economically crippling venture that could bring work to a halt in the country's gold mines.

The Communication Workers' Union ended a 9-day strike attended by some 4,500 workers at phone firm Telkom after securing a 7.5 % pay rise, according to union.

UTATU said it would review its 9% pay rise demand after higher settlements in other sectors.

The government gave council workers, a 13% rise on July 31. The deal, nearly double the inflation rate of 6.9 percent for June, was to end the strike of some 150,000 workers- including city police.
presstv