By Palesa Matlala
- Golden Arrow has gone to court to stop a planned National Union for All Sectors strike due to start at midnight on Thursday.
- More than 200,000 commuters could face disruption if the strike goes ahead, with workers and schoolchildren among those likely to be affected.
More than 200,000 Golden Arrow commuters face an anxious wait as the bus company fights in court to stop a planned strike.
Passengers should know on Wednesday whether the strike will go ahead from midnight on Thursday, 10 September.
The National Union for All Sectors served Golden Arrow Bus Services with notice that its members intend to strike.
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said the company’s priority was making sure passengers knew about the possible disruption.
“So, for us, the most important thing is obviously to let our passengers know that we have been served with this notice that NUFAS would like to strike…
“And that, unfortunately, we don’t know which way it’s going to go.”
Golden Arrow has urgently approached the court to challenge the planned action.
Dyke-Beyer said a strike would cause major problems for more than 200,000 people who rely on the buses to get to work and school.
“And our aim is to avoid that having to happen,” she said.
The dispute includes concerns raised by the union about the way Golden Arrow applies its disciplinary processes.
These include disciplinary matters involving camera footage and driver behaviour such as eating, using cellphones, speeding and going through red lights.
Dyke-Beyer would not discuss those issues in detail because the dispute is before the court.
“I don’t have information on that. And… I don’t really want to get too much into it because it is before the court. I don’t want to prejudice the issue.”
Golden Arrow Corporate Affairs and Human Resources Executive John Dammert said the company would announce the outcome of the court proceedings on Wednesday.
“Golden Arrow sincerely apologises to passengers for the uncertainty and potential disruption that this matter may cause,” he said.
Dammert said the company understood how important its buses are to thousands of people across Cape Town.
But he said Golden Arrow could not compromise the safety of passengers, drivers, other employees or members of the public.
He said the company’s driving standards, operational rules and disciplinary processes were aimed at making sure buses operate safely.
“As a public transport operator carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers, Golden Arrow has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that its drivers adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct and road safety,” he said.
Golden Arrow rejected claims that its disciplinary procedures are unfair.
Dammert said the company believes its policies follow labour laws, collective agreements, company procedures and fair processes.
Golden Arrow said workers who believe they have been treated unfairly can use the available dispute processes, including those through the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council.
The company said it respects workers’ constitutional right to take part in lawful and peaceful strike action.
But it said it also has a responsibility to protect passengers, employees and other road users.
“The safety of the people who travel on Golden Arrow buses, those who operate them and everyone who shares the road with them cannot be compromised,” Dammert said.
Golden Arrow said it will give passengers another update once the court delivers its decision on Wednesday.
Pictured above: Golden Arrow buses.
Image source: Golden Arrow bus services/ Facebook page
