The majority of striking Transnet staff in South Africa are to return to work.

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has signed a three-year salary agreement with Transnet – but UNTU fears there might be violence at picket lines.

UNTU, which represents about 54% of Transnet’s 56,000 staff, said it had agreed a 6% increase on pensionable salaries for year one, a 5.5% increase in year two and a 6% increase in year three, back-paid from April. Staff also receive the same percentage rises in medical and housing allowances.

UNTU said while the offer did not exactly match inflation, the raise in allowances would help members bear the cost-of-living increases.

It added: “We are a responsible union, we have listened to the pleas of Transnet, the government and businesses representatives … and have therefore called off the strike with immediate effect.