Stay-away adds to Durban's woes

Terry Hutson
DURBAN'S CONTAINER terminal, already under pressure from unusually high volumes, was placed under additional strain last Tuesday (21 August) after labour employed at the terminal took part in a one day stay away. They were acting in support of Cosatu's protest against the privatisation of state assets.
Themba Gwala, who was acting chief executive of SA Port Operations at the time, told FTW that although the total personnel availability for the first shift was 49%, operational, availability was reduced to 5%.
The combi terminal was also affected with about a quarter of the work force not reporting for the first shift. However other terminals around the harbour were not affected.
With the march completed workers returned to duty on Wednesday.