'Three CEOs at rail agency but no improvement' - Union wants answers from Minister
The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU) will be seeking a meeting with the Minister of Transport "to gain a better understanding of what is happening" at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
This follows an article in the Sunday Times this weekend‚ which alleged that Prasa acting CEO Collins Letsoalo had given himself a more than 300% salary increase to put him on par with former CEO Lucky Montana. When he left Prasa‚ Montana’s package totalled R5.9 million.
The union said Letsoalo clarified at a press briefing on Monday that the salary package was duly approved by the board of Prasa. "More worrying for us‚ however‚ is the turnover rate of CEOs under the current board.
Montana joins Prasa pay fray as Sunday Times issues Letsoalo a challenge Former Prasa Group CEO Lucky Montana has weighed in on a news report that the man acting in his former position increased his own salary by 350%.
"There have been three CEOs so far and yet the circumstances at the rail agency continue to deteriorate. Under the guidance of the current board‚ Prasa is all but bankrupt‚" the union charged.
"Managerial targets are not met and there has been a spike in train delays and avoidable accidents. Take for instance the latest incident where two trains running on one line collided‚ injuring more than 100 people.
Acting Prasa CEO ups his own pay by 350% and demands chauffeur He was the transport minister's new Mr Fix-It, the man sent to revive South Africa's embattled passenger rail authority.
"Unfortunately‚ the losers in this situation are the poorest of the poor whose dream of a safe‚ reliable‚ affordable and integrated public transport system is still deferred."
SATAWU said it was "gravely concerned" about its members’ job security‚ if nothing is done to ensure that Prasa is sustainable.
'It's a smear campaign': Acting Prasa CEO on 350% salary increase allegations Acting Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa CEO Collins Letsoalo‚ has dismissed claims that he increased his own salary by 350%‚ saying they were part of a smear campaign.
"Sanity must prevail and therefore Prasa must be returned to a state where it can operate optimally. The revitalisation of the trains and rail infrastructure must be put back on track. For these reasons‚ SATAWU will seek a meeting with the shareholder‚ the Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters."