Petrol attendants down tools
Local petrol stations do not seem to have been affected.
LOCAL members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) joined the national strike on Monday. Members picketed outside local fuel stations and motor industries demanding a wage increase, and intimidating those who were on duty.
About 70 000 Numsa members have downed tools, citing a deadlock in negotiations with employer bodies, the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and the Fuel Retailers’ Association (FRA).
The union is seeking double-digit increases, shift allowances for night shift workers and a ‘peace clause’ amendment to prevent companies from pushing for higher productivity without added financial incentives.
Numsa’s Cyril Khuzwayo said the union started negotiating on wages with the bosses in April. “We first wanted a 10 percent increase, but we were only given seven percent ,which we are not happy about. We want all workers to get a wage of at least R6 000 a month” he said.
Local petrol stations say business is as usual. “We had a little drama on Monday when a group of protesters tried intimidating workers. They moved around all petrol stations and motor industries in Port Shepstone,” said one of the petrol station managers, who asked not to named. She added that it was decided that, for their own safety, workers should not wear uniforms.
