Gautrain Rapid Rail Link
30 March 2006
The Gauteng MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works, Ignatius Jacobs, has
noted the press statement of Cosatu indicating that they have given notice of
its intention to strike on the proposed Gautrain Rapid Rail Link in terms of
Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA).
"The LRA sets out procedures to be followed once the notice has been given.
We will participate in these processes and hope that they will result in a
resolution of the differences between Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu) and us on this project. We have yet to receive formal correspondence
from National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) to commence
engagement with Cosatu as prescribed by the LRA", said Jacobs.
Jacobs has confirmed his confidence in the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link as a
project that will contribute to the economic growth, job creation and the
development of our province and country as well as a being a catalyst for
public transport transformation. The Gautrain is one leg of an integrated
public transport plan that is unfolding in Gauteng including the revitalization
of Metrorail, review of subsidised bus routes and taxi recapitalisation.
The MEC is also confident that the Gautrain will have enormous spin-offs for
workers and working people including job creation, skills development and black
economic empowerment.
"This issuing of a notice by Cosatu in terms of Section 77 does not require
us to put the project on hold. The project is continuing at full speed
including the finalisation of the contract with the preferred bidder, the
environmental consultations and processes and the movement of utilities," said
Jacobs.
The MEC further indicated that there have been engagements with Cosatu and
its affiliates on the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project and that he will
continue with discussions.
For enquiries please contact
Alfred Nhlapo
Tel: (011) 355 7211
Cell: 083 3768 496
Issued by: Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
Provincial Government
30 March 2006
