Pretoria - Putco said it was hoping that after an interdict granted by the Labour Court, most of its workers would be back at work this week.
The work at the public transport service provider ground to a halt last week when workers embarked on an illegal strike, leaving commuters stranded in Roseville, Pretoria and Dobsonville.
The workers were demanding a 6% salary increase and bonuses for 2020.
Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu said even though the company had notified the striking workers of the interdict granted by the Labour Court on Friday, they were uncertain if workers would heed the court order and return to work.
Of the strike, Xulu said Putco had applied for an exemption from the bargaining council from having to pay the 6% increases and bonuses, and had been granted the reprieve.
However, the unions appealed this decision and were given an order for the company to pay 3% instead.
Xulu said Putco had applied for the exemption as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, which had affected its financial sustainability.
He said despite the 3% increase ruling, Putco had reserved the right to have the matter reviewed by the Labour Court for a final decision.
“The unions have not made a pronouncement on the matter as yet, so at this moment we cannot make the decision whether to pay or not to pay as we are awaiting the review decision by the labour court.
“The truth of the matter is that commuters have been left stranded and that is why as Putco we have moved as speedily as we can to resolve this matter for the benefit of our commuters.”
Xulu said as a result of the court interdict they were expecting the full staff complement to be back at work. However, failing that, Putco would consider the next step to take as it had been given the “green light” by the courts which deemed the strike illegal.
Pretoria News