The Durban and Richards Bay ports were running at 60 percent and 50 percent capacity respectively on Monday as unions embarked on a strike at Transnet.

œWe’re running at 60 percent service in the Durban container terminal. In Richards Bay it™s around 50 percent, according to the preliminary report, spokesman John Dludlu said.

The company had a œvery comprehensive contingency plan which would raise capacity during the course of the day.

Workers at the two ports were attempting to march beyond agreed-upon picketing lines. In Richards Bay workers were trying to march through the terminal.

œWe’re talking to them about where to picket, Dludlu said.

Commuter trains in the Durban area were running at 30 percent of capacity because the strike by Transnet™s train drivers, Metrorail said.

œThere are disruptions in Durban. We are providing about 53 buses, but that can never be enough, so we are asking commuters to consider other forms of transport, Metrorail spokeswoman Thandi Mlangeni said.

She said train services in other provinces were not affected.

The four unions were in a dispute with the employer over the way proposed restructuring was being handled.

According to the United Transport and Allied Trade Union, the changes would affect about 9,000 workers.

Spokesman Chris de Vos said unions were due to meet Transnet management at 2pm.

Source: The Citizen