Fill up as petrol pumps could run dry soon
Members of the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union demand a nine percent salary increase as well as better job security
Petrol pumps could run dry as more than 15 000 employees in the petroleum sector go on strike today.
The Automobile Association (AA) has advised motorists to fill up their tanks to avoid being affected by the strike. While fuel pump attendants won’t be staying away, refineries and depots at petrol companies will be affected.
Members of the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) are demanding a nine percent salary increase as well as better job security from the National Petroleum Employers Association.
The AA’s Layton Beard says, “Our understanding is that the industrial action by SAPAWU will impact the refineries and depos of petroleum companies and not necessarily at petrol stations just yet. Motorists may begin to feel the pinch when petrol pumps begin to run dry.
The union has been at loggerheads with the National Petroleum Employers’ Association over salary increases, collective bargaining and job security. While Ceppwawu wants a nine percent wage hike over one year, employers are only willing to offer a multi-year agreement.
