Where Transnet and its employees meet to settle what matters
The Transnet Bargaining council brings Transnet SOC Limited and its recognised trade unions to one table to negotiate collective agreements and resolve workplace disputes fairly and indepenendtly.
Dispute referral forms
Rule 20 pre-arbitration minute
Section 188A inquiries
Collective Agreements
Awards & reviews
Keeping labour relations at Transnet fair and stable
Registered on 11 November 1996 for the Transport Services sector, the Council is an independent forum for Transnet and the unions that represent its employees.
We don’t take sides. Our role is to give both parties a structured, lawful process for reaching agreement, and an independent panel for resolving the disputes that arise when they don’t.
Collective Bargaining
Facilitating negotiations between Transnet and the admitted trade unions on terms and conditions of employment.
Dispute resolution
Conciliation and arbitration of disputes by independent panellists, in line with the Labour Relations Act.
Dispute prevention
Promoting a working relationship between the parties that stops conflict before it escalates.
Governance
Operating under our Constitution, with an Executive Committee drawn from both employer and labour.
Parties to the Council
The employer and the trade unions admitted to the Council under its Constitution.
The employer party, operating across the following divisions:
- Transnet Freight Rail
- National Ports Authority
- Pipelines
- Transnet Property
- Rail Infrastructure Manager
- Port Terminals
- Transnet Engineering
Admitted trade union party to the Council.
Visit the SATAWU website
Admitted trade union party to the Council.
Visit the UNTU website
Other unions and non-union employees
SATAWU and UNTU are the admitted parties, but they are not the only unions at Transnet. Employees who belong to other unions, or to no union at all, are covered through the agency shop levy, which ensures they are represented by the Transnet Bargaining Council.
Dispute resolution
Disputes within the Transnet bargaining unit are referred to the Council, not the CCMA. Download the correct form, complete it, and email it to the General Secretary.
How a dispute moves through the Council
Section 188A: inquiry by an arbitrator
Instead of an internal disciplinary hearing run by the employer, Section 188A of the Labour Relations Act allows an independent arbitrator from the Council to conduct a pre-dismissal inquiry.
An independent inquiry
A formal inquiry led by an external arbitrator or commissioner replaces the standard internal hearing.
Both sides agree
In most cases, the employer and the employee must both agree in writing to use this process.
A binding decision
The arbitrator decides the outcome and can exercise disciplinary powers, including dismissal.
Final from the start
Because the matter is heard independently upfront, the award is final and binding, which reduces the likelihood of a later unfair dismissal dispute at the CCMA.
Rule 20 pre-arbitration minute
Before the Council issues a notice of set down, the parties must hold a pre-arbitration conference and sign a minute recording the facts they agree and disagree on. The referring party must email the signed minute to the Council as soon as it is signed.
Document library
Forms, agreements, awards and publications. Open any document to read it online or download it.
Collective Agreements
Latest News
Notices, updates and media releases from the Council.
How to request a Section 188A inquiry by an arbitrator
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Vacancies
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Contact the Council
For enquiries, or to submit a completed form, contact our office.
Address
7 4th Avenue, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Office
011 486 3003
secretary@tbc.co.za | chrissi@tbc.co.za