Protesters, including port workers and unemployed members of the union, also organised a march to the port and to Transnet offices. There were reports that rocks were thrown at vehicles and tyres set alight on Bayhead Road. RETUSA said that 2,000 workers went on strike.

Police intervention was needed to stop the intimidation of port users. The strike was supposed to have continued for two more days, but was declared illegal by a South African court. The port and the haulage industry along the Durban-Gauteng corridor spent the next few days tackling the cargo backlog. RETUSA is one of the smallest trades unions operating in the South African logistics industry with about 4,500 members.

The union claims that its members have been harassed when at work; that it is not allowed to appoint shop stewards; and complains about its lack of recognition. It held its first strike at the port in April. RETUSA claims that outsourced workers are paid as little as 10% of the wage of Transnet employees doing similar jobs. Transnet only recognises unions that represent at least a quarter of the company’s entire 55,000 workforce, which seems a high threshold to achieve.

The chairperson of Durban Harbour Carriers Association, Sue Moodley, said: “We were disappointed because we were only given notification of the strike yesterday, but notice of the intent to strike was given to Transnet three weeks ago.”

A strike also affected operations at the Lagos ports in Nigeria at the same time. Haulage companies called the action in protest over cargo demurrage.