The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has warned the country's ongoing truck driver strike could spread to railways and ports, website Mg.co.za reported.

Satawu said it had applied for permission from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to extend industrial action to other modes of transport.

The union's acting national media officer Vincent Masoga, said "relations and trust" with the employers was worsening.

Last week union members rejected the employers' offer of an 18% pay rise over the next two years, instead demanding a 12% rise this year.

"We're prepared to even take 10% but the guys are not budging at all," Masoga was reported as saying.

His union is accusing Road Freight Employers' Association (RFEA) of misrepresenting his members' pay rise demands.

Satawu and RFEA are scheduled to meet later today to try and negotiate a settlement, as the strike enters its third week.

Hortgro product manager Jacques du Preez, said so far the truck driver strike was not affecting members too badly as stonefruit harvesting had not yet started.

"We will only start exporting by sea freight in two weeks' time. In the early part of the season when prices are high fruit is normally air freighted out of the country."

However, he admitted if industrial action continued for longer than next week then there would be a problem.

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Photo: Ports.co.za

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