CROSSINGS STILL UNSAFE – UNIONS
Posted on 16 March 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
In mid-February, at a National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Section 77 Notice meeting with Transnet “and government”, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa), sought ways to improve safety at railway level crossings. Having pointed out that 13 people had died in 129 incidents at level crossings in 2008 alone, Fedusa said it was “greatly disappointed” at Transnet and government for frustrating the Nedlac process to study its reasonable proposals relating to level crossings and the safety of drivers, pedestrians and passengers.
Fedusa general secretary Dennis George said in a prepared statement: “The legalistic approach adopted by Transnet and government today [18 February] is totally unacceptable and sends a message that both parties are not serious and fully committed to dealing with the unnecessary carnage and fatalities at level crossings and on trains in our country.”
General secretary Chris de Vos of the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), who also attended the meeting, said his union submitted its Section 77 Protest Action Strike Notice “in good faith”. It had been hoped that government, organised labour and business would negotiate to find a solution to the problems at level crossings.
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