40 000 strikers join forces today to bring transport to standstill.(News)

BYLINE: AZIZ HARTLEY

THE Transnet workers' strike is set to hot up today following the rejection by United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) members of an 11 percent wage increase offer.

About 22 000 Utatu members are expected to join their 18 000 SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) counterparts who have been out on strike since Monday. The unions demanded a 15 percent rise across the board. The minimum pay is about R3 500.

While Satawu rejected the 11 percent outright last week, Utatu leaders waited until yesterday to take a final decision.

Satawu and Utatu represent 39 and 45 percent of about 54 000 Transnet workers …