UNTU moves to block PRASA job cuts and private security plans

According to IOL, the United National Transport Union (Untu) has moved to oppose planned retrenchments and the deployment of private security firms by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), after the state-owned operator initiated a Section 189 process that could affect more than 600 employees.

Union rejects private security amid retrenchment plans

According to IOL, Untu says it will oppose the use of private security companies while Prasa retains capable and trained internal protection staff. The union specifically objects to reductions in protection services personnel, who are among the more than 600 employees at risk.

Why Prasa began the process

According to IOL, Prasa initiated retrenchment consultations under Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act in May 2026. The agency cited severe financial constraints and the extended inactivity of certain rail corridors as reasons for proposing cuts.

Union response and legal action

According to IOL, Untu temporarily approached the Labour Court to interdict the retrenchment process, citing a lack of transparency and flaws in the facilitation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The union withdrew its urgent court bid after Prasa extended the retrenchment timeline to allow further engagements with organised labour.

Task team and ongoing talks

According to IOL, the Department of Transport established a task team including the department, Prasa management and organised labour to explore alternatives aimed at minimising job losses. Untu said the task team’s work is ongoing and no final findings have been submitted to the minister of Transport.

Security framework and past contracting issues

According to IOL, Prasa cancelled contracts with 20 private security companies after historical findings of tender irregularities and massive asset losses. To replace outsourced providers, the agency established its own security framework and hired thousands of internal security guards directly under its corporate command.

According to IOL, Prasa has rolled out a R1,5 billion security overhaul to deploy over 1,400 internal personnel across high-tech forward bases to secure railway lines within a 35km radius.

Union’s stance in its own words

“Our position remains that Prasa’s proposal contradicts its own corporate plan, which identifies the need to strengthen protection services rather than reduce them. We will not support any scenario in which experienced Prasa security personnel are retrenched while there is a need for added security as Prasa recovers its line,”

“We definitely will not stand by and allow private security companies to come in while Prasa has capable, experienced and trained security officers to protect the country’s rail infrastructure,”

Process so far

According to IOL, Untu said it participated in CCMA-facilitated consultations before two commissioners but found the process lacked sufficient information to properly explore alternatives to retrenchment. The union said it is involved in Prasa’s people optimisation process, which seeks opportunities to place main line passenger services employees in other areas of the rail business as alternatives to retrenchment.

What remains unresolved

According to IOL, the task team is still working and no formal report has yet been submitted to the minister of Transport. All parties, the union said, remain committed to continued engagement until the task team completes its mandate.