A meeting between Sasol and two unions that may join Solidarity’s strike was underway on Wednesday at the chemical industry’s national bargaining council.
Bosole Chidi, the acting general secretary of the South African Chemical Workers’ Union (Sacwu), and Welile Nolingo, the general secretary of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (Ceppwawu), were at the meeting.
”We are going to try to resolve the matter in the petroleum sector,” Chidi said, while on his way to the meeting.
Sasol, the giant South African petrochemicals company, offered Sacwu, Ceppwawu and Solidarity a 6,5% pay rise on basic income and a further 1,5% on housing.
However, members of Solidarity went on strike against the firm’s offer on Monday after a mass meeting, which was held in Secunda, Mpumalanga.
Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said his union, which was to meet Sasol’s managers separately at 2pm on Wednesday, would present alternative proposals at that meeting.
”I can’t divulge the details of the proposals as we are working on the content,” he said.
Hermann said Flip Buys, the union’s general secretary, would address Solidarity members in Secunda and after that attend the meeting with Sasol managers.
Ceppwawu, who together with Sacwu have undertaken to recommend Sasol’s offer to their members, will on Saturday decide what to do about the matter.
”On Saturday, we will check with our members if they want to join the strike or not,” Chidi said.
Nolingo said he would be able to comment on the matter after the meeting.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nolingo told the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) news that members of his union were still balloting on whether to join the strike or not.
The results of the ballot will be made public on Friday, the station reported, quoting Nolingo.
The SABC also reported that members of Solidarity demanded a 10% pay hike.
Also earlier on Wednesday, Hermann told the South African Press Association that Solidarity and Sasol were close to reaching a wage increase settlement.
”We met with Sasol yesterday [Tuesday] but we failed to reach a settlement,” Hermann said.
”But discussions are continuing today [Wednesday] and we are near to a settlement.”
He said that on Tuesday nearly 2 000 people took part in the strike at the Secunda plant in Mpumalanga, with 1 200 protesting at the gate.
”Artisans are frustrated. It is not only about the wage increase; there are a number of issues and they are under tremendous pressure.”
Sasol spokesperson Johan van Rheede said fuel production was not affected as the number of absentees was very low.
”The good news is the plant is running well and we are meeting our production target,” Van Rheede said.
He said Sasol had not changed from its 6,5% wage increase and 1,5% housing-subsidy increase offer. — Sapa