OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 5.30pm
SOME 8000 chemical workers in the rubber and plastic sectors were still locked in talks with management on Monday afternoon in a bid to end the Chemical Workers’ Industrial Union strike, which started at midnight on Sunday.
At a number of factories, including Port Elizabeth-based pharmaceutical companies Pharmacare Lennox and Pharmacare Intranet, workers are picketing.
Between 30000 and 40000 union members embarked on the strike on Monday after wage negotiations for a 10,5% salary increase, 40-hour work week and paid sick leave, failed last week. Employers are offering an increase of between 6% and 8%.
Negotiations within the industry, are fragmented however, as each sector is required conduct its own negotiations with management. Only the rubber and plastic sectors have been approached by management to continue negotiations. CWIU president president Willie Nilonga said airlines are expected to be the most seriously affected as airline refuelers are part of the strike. However, airlines and oil companies have stockpiled supplies to ensure uninterrupted deliveries in the short-term. CWIU
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