Johannesburg - The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) yesterday threw its weight behind the ongoing strike affecting delivery of fuel products and asked the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to intervene in the matter.
The strike, which is affecting mainly oil refineries and fuel depots, has led to fuel shortages at some service stations, mainly in Gauteng.
Dennis George, general secretary of Fedusa, said the union wanted the CCMA to intervene urgently in the strike.
“Workers contribute a lot in businesses, so why is it that when ever they want salary increases the employers leave it to a point that they go on strike. The workers want a 9 percent increase, while the National Petroleum Employers’ Association (NPEA) is offering 7 percent. There is a 2 percent gap (between the union’s demand and the employers’ offer). That is why we want the CCMA to intervene,” George said.
Asked about the status of negotiations with the employers, Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) spokesman Clement Chitja said yesterday that there were no new developments.
“We requested a meeting with NPEA but have not heard anything from them. We are still proposing a 9 percent wage increase,” Chitja said.
But NPEA deputy chairman Zimisele Majamane said yesterday that the body would meet Ceppwawu today for the negotiations. “We are still proposing a 7 percent wage increase.”
The NPEA has offered a two-year 6.5 percent increase and has proposed a 7 percent increase in the first year and an increase linked to the April 2017 consumer price inflation plus 1.5 percent in year two.
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