Cape Town — Transnet has returned to the negotiating table at the CCMA with a revised wage offer for striking workers who are members of two of the country's larger unions - the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu). The workers downed tools at the major ports of Durban and Cape Town over a week ago, in protest over salary increases.

The crippling strike could result in further industrial action if Transnet and the workers are no closer to agreeing on a wage settlement. The unions rejected a revised 4% wage increase offer which Transnet at the time, said was reasonable. Untu and Satawu are demanding a double-digit wage increase of 12% and 13.5% respectively.

According to SANews.gov.za, the revised offer is as follows:

A  4.5% increase in the current year across the board which will be implemented from 1 October 2022. This will be followed by 5.3% increases in 2023/24 and 2024/25.

A 4.5% increase in the medical aid allowance in 2022/23 which will be adjusted in line with the across the board increase in the subsequent two years.

The back-pay will be paid in two tranches - three months' back-pay on 15 November 2022, and three months' back-pay on 16 January 2023.

There has been no agreement from Untu and Satawu yet.

Meanwhile, mining and agricultural business bodies are warning of billions in losses if the strike continues to disrupt the movement of cargo and exports, on which thousands of people rely on for their livelihoods.