A three-day strike by Solidarity members came to an end on Thursday after they settled with synthetic fuels group Sasol for a 6,5% wage increase. Solidarity had been demanding a 10% wage increase.
The strike was called off following discussions between Sasol chief executive Pat Davies and Solidarity’s general secretary Flip Buys.
“Davies committed Sasol’s Secunda management to constructively address concerns raised and the parties agreed on a process to resolve issues. Following the discussion, Buys received a mandate from Solidarity’s members to end the strike,” Solidarity said in a statement.
The parties, including local managing directors at Sasol Synfuels, Mining and Shared Services, agreed to establish joint workplace forums for all trade unions at the aforementioned operations at Secunda to address internal concerns.
The forums, which will become operational within the next week, will comprise employees and all representative trade unions and will actively address current issues. Solidarity and Sasol agreed to report back on progress after two weeks to all parties concerned.
Solidarity has accepted Sasol’s wage offer of a 6,5% increase on basic salaries and a 1,5% increase on housing allowances for certain categories of employees. Workers involved in strike action will return to work at 6am on Friday morning.
In reaction to the settlement, Buys said that all parties were pleased the strike was over. “It became apparent early in the strike that issues, outside of the wage negotiations, were frustrating workers. Solidarity and its members will work on our new relationship with Sasol. The workplace forums will ensure that an appropriate approach is followed to address the concerns of employees by the highest levels of management in the operations concerned,” said Buys.
“We are delighted that the strike has ended. We look forward to engaging with our employees and all trade unions to resolve the concerns raised by the parties,” said Davies. — I-Net Bridge