UNEASY: Golden Arrow bus drivers protested at the Arrowgate depot since 4am yesterday
Golden Arrow bus drivers held a protest from 4am on Thursday, demanding that buses do not operate until they are disinfected and that the company update them on how many employees are infected with Covid-19.
The workers picketed outside the Arrowgate depot where services were disrupted, and later moved to the Philippi depot.
These depots serve areas such as Mitchells Plain, Delft, Blue Downs, Somerset West and Khayelitsha and commuters waited in vain for buses to arrive.
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Golden Arrow bus drivers strike for their safety. Videos: Velani Ludidi
“There are people who tested positive for Coronavirus, but the company never closed (for decontamination), it was business as usual,” claimed a driver.
“We were not tested, yet they go to the media saying everything is well.
“Now our colleagues are testing positive and we are scared because we will take the virus home to our
families.”
Police were called to try and diffuse the situation.
During the day, drivers received letters giving them an ultimatum to return to work by noon or face possible dismissal.
The letter, which the
Daily Voice has seen, said the protesting drivers’ conduct was unlawful and that preventing others from work was also illegal.
However the angry drivers continued with their protest saying their “lives were at risk”.
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Bus drivers strike for their safety
Golden Arrow spokesperson, Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, said only a small number of staff participated in the “wildcat strike” and that they failed to follow protocol.
She denied Golden Arrow was flouting Coronavirus regulations.
“In the last two weeks there have been five separate infections of which two are drivers from two different depots,” Dyke-Beyer explains.
“They have been quarantined and anyone who they came into contact with is self-isolating.
“Professional decontamination has taken place and all staff have been required to wear masks for the last three weeks.
“This is in addition to enforced social distancing and sanitisation (of the depots) every two hours.”
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