Petrol strike

Petrol pump attendants go on strike

source: ewn

As public service unions continued to mull over government’s latest wage offer, petrol pump attendants started their strike on Wednesday morning.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members, from automotive manufacturing workers and panel beaters to petrol pump attendants, have called for an across the board 15 percent wage increase.

But the Fuel Retailers’ Association said all other benefits the union is asking for – including reduced working hours, an increase in minimum wages and the introduction of housing allowances and health benefits – boosts the demand to more than 80 percent.
The association’s Reggie Sibiya said, “Obviously that is not feasible because an increase in margin will lead to an increase in petrol prices.”
Meanwhile, garages around the country have assured motorists staff would be on hand to help pump fuel because it is illegal for members of the public to fill up their own cars.

Numsa’s Irvin Jim said not all workers will heed the call to strike immediately.
“It is going to take time because it is a very scattered sector, it is not like when you organise a 1,000 workers in one establishment. Some of them will understand and some may not have been reached,” he said.
At many garages in Gauteng it appeared to be business as usual on Wednesday morning but with some attendant choosing not to wear their uniforms.

Some attendants together with their managers told Eyewitness News they fear intimidation from those who were striking.

Meanwhile, Eyewitness News was also informed about demonstrations at a petrol station on the N4 towards Nelspruit.

Striking workers on that road were apparently blocking the entrance and preventing motorists from getting in.

31 August 2010

Motorists warned not to panic despite fuel strike

source: ewn

As petrol pump attendants affiliated to trade union Numsa announced plans to strike on Wednesday, the Fuel Retailers’ Association there is no need to panic.

Workers want a 15 percent across the board increase, but the association said it cannot afford this because of the industry’s regulated profit margins.

There has been panic from motorists around the country but the association said plans are in place to keep fuel flowing.

The FRA’s CEO Reggie Sibiya said, “We actually at the moment are just working on the premise that it is carrying on. We have actually exhausted all the negotiations avenues to come to some kind of agreement.”

Petrol strike of the past

On Tuesday 7th of April 2009 there was a transport strike, all the truck drivers will not be working that means no delivery of petrol and diesel to all service stations.

You are advised to fill up your cars whenever you can and drive economically as we do not know how long will it take for them to come back.