July 21, 2011. It’s been a testing past week for motorists with the continued standoff between employers and unions in the fuel sector.
Employers have now upped their offer to workers to between 8 and 10% increases, from the initial offering of 4 to 7%, but early indications are that the unions were not impressed.
Latest: The labour union Solidarity said yesterday that it had suspended its petroleum sector strike but “did not accept the employers’ new wage rise offer of between 8 and 10%”. Meanwhile, according to Business Report the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwau) said it was still consulting with members on the new offer, which it said amounted to only 8%. Further news from Ceppwawu is expected this morning (July 21).
Solidarity says it has suspended the strike for now to balance the interests of the workers, the nation and employers.
Workers are demanding an increase amounting to 13% when all factors are taken into account; the Petroleum Industry Association, on the other hand, has repeatedly stated that a double digit increase is unreasonable in the current economic climate.
Media reports indicate that the petrol companies have had to hire extra security to safeguard deliveries of fuel and, of course, their staff.
Although it’s been difficult to assess the real impact of the strike on the Ridge area, with contradicting reports in the media and on social media platforms, Reggie Sibiya of the Fuel Retailers’ Association has requested motorists to refrain from panic buying, as this presents a real threat to supply. Some motorists are arriving at garages with drums, which they intend to fill in case of a serious shortage.
Negotiations continue today.