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Strike

CCMA hopeful of petrochemical strike resolution

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:07

With a new offer on the table, wage negotiations in the petroleum sector have reached a point where the dispute can be resolved, says the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

CMMA director Nerine Kahn said the National Petroleum Employers' Association (NPEA); Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu); South African Chemical Workers Union (Sacwu); the General Industries Workers' Union of SA (Giwusa) and Solidarity met under the auspices of the CCMA on Tuesday.

The meeting was an attempt to resolve the dispute which has resulted in petrol stations in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, among others, being without fuel. Workers downed tools on 11 July.

“Parties confirm that a revised offer was tabled, which closes the gap between the unions and the employers and that negotiations have reached a point that may resolve the dispute,” said Kahn on Tuesday night.

Unions will today take the offer to members, with parties expected to convene at the CCMA on Thursday. The revised offer will not be made public until the meeting at 10am.

Last week, an offer of between eight and 10 percent was put on the table. Initiall,y employers had offered a wage increase of between four and seven percent.

Workers were demanding a wage increase of between 11 and 13 percent and minimum wages of R6 000 and transport allowances, among others.

Last week, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant urged parties to reach a speedy resolution, saying the industry was critical to South Africa's economy.

"Prolonging the strike is not in the public interest,” said Oliphant at the time. - BuaNews