Medical Insurance Demands Prompt Trucker Strike

January 28 - The growing cost of medical care is just one of the factors leading South Africa's truckers to consider a nationwide strike from next month.

The truckers are demanding improved medical insurance so that they can be better covered, as well as a salary increase, housing allowance and shorter working hours.

If these demands? - including a 20% increase in salary - are not met by mid February, The South African Allied Transport Worker's Union (SATAWU) will order its members to go on strike.

"We do not think our demands are unjustified," said the deputy president of SATAWU, June Dube.

"Other sectors received increases above 10% and our demands are fair."

The Road Freight Association has offered the union a 7.5% increase for 2011 and 2012, however it is believed that this will be rejected.

Speaking for the Association, Magretia Brown-Engelbrecht said: "Last week we invited unions for further negotiations and suggested possible mediation. There was no response and we are surprised by the announcement to strike."

If the strike goes ahead, it will involve more than half of the workers in the trucking industry - over 30,000 people.

This would include truckers as well as administrative staff.