Johannesburg - Members of the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) found themselves in a quandary and were forced to shelve serious internal issues to join a strike.
Workers in the petroleum and pharmaceutical sectors affiliated to Ceppwawu downed tools three weeks ago, demanding a 9 percent salary increase, and improvements on shift allowances.
Striking Ceppwawu members who spoke to Independent Media - having failed to have a significant impact on fuel supply - said they were concerned about their union’s incapacity.
Ceppwawu has been described as “dysfunctional” after it failed to submit audited financial statements to the labour registrar, while neglecting to hold regular constitutional meetings and a congress every four years.
At Engen in Joburg, just five men stood outside the premises where a picket was supposed to have been held on Thursday. The union blamed the poor showing on miscommunication between officials and members and said the demonstration had been held elsewhere. What was clear though was that some workers were on the job, with trucks entering and leaving depots normally.
Sasol employees continued to work as usual.
Union general secretary, Simon Mofokeng whose term in office lapsed in 2014, said it was to be expected after being on strike for a number of weeks, some members would begin to stay home, and that the union would take action against Sasol.
“When other employer members see Sasol not being on strike now, they don’t see any reason why there should be a settlement while Sasol is still operational,” said Mofokeng.
He was grateful for the CCMA’s intervention in the dispute this week, after the National Petroleum Employer’s Association explained to workers a stagnating economy and weak global oil prices bound them to the 7 percent on offer.
Ceppwawu’s long list of challenges includes a close brush with de-registration last year.
Mofokeng attributes the failure to hold a congress to factional battles. Central to the in-fighting is understood to be millions of rands accumulated through a trust set-up for members.
Mofokeng rubbished claims the strike had been held to galvanise support for the union.
“If the union was not functional... you would not have an organisation as we speak that has concluded more than five agreements in the industry. We still remain the majority union in the industry,” he said.
Labour Bureau