Durban’s Sapref refinery - the largest in Southern Africa - has no intention of shutting down during the countrywide fuel workers' strike, although there are still fears of pumps running dry.
Spokeswoman Margaret Rowe said on Monday: “Although Ceppwawu has called for a national strike, we don’t anticipate that we’ll need to shut down. We’ll keep operating as long as it’s safe to do so.”
But Rowe wouldn’t comment on possible fuel shortages, directing further enquiries to Shell SA Refining spokesman Dennis Matsane, and BP Southern Africa spokeswoman Glenda Zvenyika - neither of whom was available for comment.
Sapref is a joint venture between Shell and BP, and provides 35 percent of South Africa’s refining capacity. Engen Refinery spokesman Herb Payne said he would comment shortly.
Fuel Retailers' Association chief executive Reggie Sibiya said he was concerned that petrol stations could run dry during the strike.
“When that happens will depend on how organised the strike is,” he said. “But we are not going to see it today as most stations have stock.”
Sibiya urged motorists to be prepared and not panic.
About 70 000 fuel workers from the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood, and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) and the General Industries Workers Union of SA (Giwusa) joined the strike as it entered its second week on on Monday.
They were demanding a minimum salary of R6000 a month and a 40-hour work week.
Ceppwawu policy co-ordinator John Appolis said hundreds of companies would be affected, including Sasol, Engen, BP, Caltex, Total, Adcock Ingram and Tiger Foods.
Giwusa had members in the pharmaceutical, glass, chemical and fast-moving consumer goods, fibre and particle board industries.
The union's president, Charles Phahla, said workers would march to the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
About 170 000 engineering and steel workers from the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), the Metal and Electrical Workers Union (Mewusa), the United Association of SA (Uasa), Solidarity, and the SA Equity Workers Association (Saewa) downed tools last week.
They were demanding wage increases from 10-13 percent and a ban on labour brokers.
Police said violence had erupted resulting in one death and six people being injured. - Sapa