Trade union Solidarity on Thursday said it has declared a dispute with the National Petroleum Employers’ Association (NPEA).
The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (CEPPWAWU) and the South African Chemical Workers’ Union (SACWU) have also declared a dispute with the NPEA, Solidarity said.
However, CEPPWAWU and SACWU representatives weren’t immediately able to confirm this.
The members of the NPEA are petrochemicals group Sasol, state-owned oil company PetroSA and Natref, which is 63,84% held by Sasol and 36,36% held by French oil group Total.
A representative from the NPEA wasn’t immediately available for comment.
The dispute came after Tuesday and Wednesday’s wage negotiations broke down, Solidarity said.
Solidarity added that it has lowered its initial demand for a wage increase of 13% to 10%.
“The employers offered a 4,5% increase in the first round of negotiations and are refusing to move on this offer. The NPEA has clearly adopted a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude,” said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
Solidarity held mass meetings with its members on Tuesday this week to confirm their mandate, and 100% of the members’ mandates confirmed the demand for 10% — failing which strike action would follow, Solidarity said.
“Sasol Synfuel’s and PetroSA’s attitudes during these wage negotiations show that workers will not reap the reward of their hard work, which boosted the profits of these companies to record heights.
“These employers are forcing Solidarity to take strike action, which could lead to a serious fuel shortage. Solidarity has pointed out to employers the potentially grave consequences of a strike in the petroleum sector,” Kleynhans said. — I-Net Bridge