Progress was made in talks on Monday to avert a strike at oil refineries and fuel producers, trade union Solidarity said.
Spokesperson Marius Croucamp said the unions met employers, who made an official offer of a 7,5% wage increase.
Negotiators indicated they would increase the offer to 8% provided the employer agreed.
”They were only mandated to go to 7,5% but said they will go to 8% on condition that they get approval,” Croucamp said.
The union decreased their demand from 10% to 9%.
Employers in the petroleum sector initially offered a 7% increase with unions wanting 10%.
The outcome of Monday’s meeting would be taken back to union members, where a decision on the way forward would be made, Croucamp said.
Talks in the industrial-chemical sector were scheduled for Wednesday. Employers in this sector were offering a 7,5% wage increase and unions were demanding 10%.
Solidarity described the talks in both sectors as ”last-ditch” attempts to prevent industrial action.
The unions were issued a strike certificate over two weeks ago and have only to give their employers 48 hours’ notice should they decide to down tools.
”Labour has been very patient,” Croucamp said.
”The trade unions are aware of their social responsibility to exhaust all possible options in order to avert a strike.
”The trade-union demands are not out of reach, the more so when the financial success of large companies in the industry, like Sasol and PetroSA, is taken into account,” he said.
Companies that would be affected included Sasol, Shell, BP, Engen, Omnia and Afrox.
Solidarity represented about 6 400 of 20 000 workers in both sectors. Other unions involved were the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, the South African Chemical Workers’ Union and the General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa. — Sapa