13 August 2026
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) wishes to inform its members, stakeholders, and the public that wage negotiations within the Road Freight and Logistics Sector have reached a deadlock. As a result, the union is preparing to embark on protected industrial action following the breakdown of the centralised bargaining process regarding wage increases, benefits, and conditions of employment.
SATAWU hereby notifies all stakeholders in the trucking industry that workers may engage in protected strike action after negotiations for the 2027 to 2029 wage agreement failed to produce an acceptable outcome.
Bargaining Process Reaches Impasse
The centralised bargaining process commenced in May 2026 and continued until July 2026. This was followed by two dispute-resolution meetings facilitated under the auspices of the Bargaining Council in accordance with its constitution. Despite more than four months of engagement between SATAWU and employer representatives, no agreement was reached.
Dispute meetings were held on 28 July 2026 and again on 11 and 12 August 2026. SATAWU maintains that employer associations remained unwilling to make meaningful concessions and failed to adequately respond to workers’ demands.
In accordance with the signed negotiation protocol, the process to finalise picketing rules is expected to be completed on or before 20 August 2026. Should no settlement be reached, the Commissioner is expected to issue a Certificate of Non-Resolution, paving the way for lawful protected strike action.
SATAWU’s Key Demands
SATAWU’s demands include:
- A three-year wage agreement.
- Across-the-board wage increases of:
- 7.5% in the first year
- 7.0% in the second year
- 6.5% in the third year
- Increases to allowances in line with the agreed wage settlement.
- Permanent third-person teams per vehicle in the Cash-in-Transit (CIT) sector.
- A comprehensive review of CIT medical insurance costs and benefits by an independent service provider.
- Increases to sector minimum wages.
- Removal of in-cab camera systems.
- Implementation of recommendations on chamber grading and remuneration structures.
- Introduction of an owner-driver incentive scheme allowing drivers to own at least one vehicle through contractual arrangements.
- A 10% employer contribution towards the industry’s provident fund.
- Revision of warehouse definitions and Clause 35 to ensure daily overtime calculations.
Employer Offer
The employer associations have proposed:
- A three-year wage agreement.
- Wage increases of:
- 3.75% in the first year
- 3.5% in the second year
- 3.5% in the third year
- Allowance increases at 50% of the agreed across-the-board wage increase.
- Rejection of the permanent third-person CIT team proposal on affordability grounds.
- Withdrawal of the CIT medical insurance proposal.
- No increase to minimum wages.
- Removal of in-cab camera systems.
- Withdrawal of proposals relating to chamber grading and remuneration.
- Withdrawal of the owner-driver incentive scheme proposal.
- Continued review of the provident fund.
- Further strategic review of warehouse definitions and Clause 35.
SATAWU’s Position
SATAWU views the current employer offer as inadequate and believes it fails to recognise the critical role truck drivers and logistics workers play in sustaining South Africa’s economy. The union remains committed to securing fair wages, improved working conditions, and meaningful benefits for workers across the sector.
While preparations for protected industrial action continue, SATAWU remains open to further engagement should employers table a fair, meaningful, and improved offer that addresses workers’ legitimate concerns.
The union will continue to keep members informed of all developments throughout this process.
Media Enquiries
Amanda Tshemese
Head of Communications
South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU)
☎ 062 945 7217
