Officials of the trade union Solidarity and Sasol managers were holding talks on Tuesday intended to end a strike that began earlier in the day, the union said.
The meeting was to take place in Secunda, Mpumalanga, after the union’s general secretary, Flip Buys, had spoken to striking members, said Dirk Hermann, Buys’s deputy.
”At 11am, they [leaders of Solidarity] are meeting with management. I understand that Sasol’s top managers travelled to Secunda for the meeting,” Hermann said.
He said earlier on Tuesday the number of people on strike was about 300, but it has since grown to 1 200 or 1 300.
”It seems the frustration of the workers is much bigger than the 8% [pay increase demanded by the union]. We want to try determine what is going on,” he said.
”Within 2 or 3 hours we will have a much clearer indication of what is going on.”
Jaco Kleynhans, a spokesperson for Solidarity, confirmed that members of his union went on strike at 6am to demand better pay and working conditions.
”All indications are that the strike enjoys widespread support, with almost 2 000 striking workers at Sasol in Secunda.
”So far, the strike has proceeded in a very disciplined manner …
”We are confident that we will be able to discuss the workers’ grievances with the employer today [Tuesday], in an attempt to bring the strike to an end as soon as possible,” Kleynhans said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sasol spokesperson Johan van Rheede put the number of people taking part in the strike at about 300.
”They are not picketing at all. They are sitting in their cars,” Van Rheede said, adding: ”We have not yet received any alternative demand at this stage.”
He said it was too early to assess the impact of the strike on the company’s production.
Last Thursday, Sasol offered a 6,5% wage hike and a further 1,5% housing subsidy increase.
After a close vote on the matter on Monday, Solidarity members decided to strike.
When the strike started at 6am, Van Rheede said the group was delaying traffic at the company’s gates in Secunda.
”They are creating traffic disruptions for other employees coming in to work,” he told the South African Press Association at 7.30am.
”Everything is under control and we have no serious incidents to report.”
The decision to strike was taken at a mass meeting in Secunda on Monday.
Solidarity has about 3 000 members in the employ of Sasol at the points where a strike was declared.
Hermann repeated that union leaders had advised members to accept the latest offer.
”We get the impression that their grievances are about more than money, and will seek to get to the bottom of the matter.”
Hermann said a one-day strike will do little to affect Sasol’s fuel production.
”But if things carry on longer, there could be serious disruptions. This we would want to prevent, and we will do our utmost to resolve this matter before the end of the day.” — Sapa