Thousands of commuters in Gqeberha (Nelson Mandela Bay) have been left scrambling for alternative transport after Algoa Bus Company services were halted by an ongoing strike that began on Monday afternoon.
Many passengers have turned to taxis, resulting in higher fares and longer travel times for some. Commuters reported being caught off guard when buses suddenly stopped operating, describing the first day of the strike as particularly challenging for getting home from work.
Taxi operators have stepped in to absorb the extra demand. Some ranks have extended their operating hours — from 9:00 to 10:00 — while direct routes to certain destinations have been introduced to help reduce costs for passengers.
“We try our best to service the people as we have also extended our time from 9:00 to 10:00 to try and service everyone,” one taxi operator said. “By doing that we are trying to get back the trust of our people to trust us in getting them commuting.”
At the heart of the dispute is a newly introduced disciplinary code by Algoa Bus Company. Union leaders argue that the code imposes much harsher sanctions on workers. For example, misconduct that previously warranted only a written warning under the old policy now results in straight dismissal.
Union spokespersons stressed that any agreement reached with the company must be formalized in writing — either as a mutual agreement or collective agreement — something they claim the company has failed to do.
“The sanctions that are employed by this disciplinary code are much harsher,” a union representative explained. “What then needed to happen following our discussions is to actually sign a settlement agreement of the dispute… to have it in black and white.”
Algoa Bus Company management maintains that most concerns raised by the unions have already been resolved. A company spokesperson noted that the employer and unions had drafted proposals that were incorporated into the new disciplinary code of conduct.
“The employer with them have drafted proposals which will find themselves in the newly drafted disciplinary code of conduct,” the spokesperson said. “But the issue here is not even about us disagreeing on issues. We are together. We’ve moved together on all the issues. The issue here is the issue of timing of which the company has requested labour to give the company time as agreed in the road map that was tabled by the managing director on Saturday.”
The standoff continues, with no immediate resolution in sight until a formal written agreement is reached.
Algoa Bus management has advised commuters who loaded funds onto their cards to visit the cost depot in Gqeberha for a full refund while the strike persists.
The strike has forced many in the Nelson Mandela Bay area to rely on more expensive and less convenient transport options, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the bus company and its workers over workplace policies.