A planned sector strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) in the motor industry, is set to start in Gauteng on Monday and will see petrol attendants going on strike.
On Tuesday, Numsa spokesman Castrol Ngobese said Numsa had not yet issued the official notice of strike to employers, but when the employer bodies heard of the intention to strike, there was a willingness to negotiate.
It is alleged that some garages in Daveyton have been on strike since Monday, but talks between Numsa, companies represented by the Fuel Retailers Association and Retail Motor Industry Organisation to discuss the workers’ demands will only come to a conclusion today (Thursday).
The union demanded a R30 per hour increase across the board on actual rates of pay in all sectors and divisions for workers earning above R6 000 per month by 2016.
If talks fall flat, 72 000 petrol attendants and motor industry employees will down tools on Monday.
But according to local garage owners, not all local petrol attendants are at ease with the strike.
“Some seem to be excited as they only look at the 10% demanded wage increase, while others are scared it might be a ‘no work, no pay’ situation,” says a source.
Three petrol attendants from the Engen New South Main garage said they are not sure what is going to happen next week as the people on the ground are the last to know what is going on.
According to the garage’s manager, Dries Hattingh, they have a plan in action if workers do not come to work, but as far as they know the workers are not keen to go on strike.
Another garage owner said their family jumps in to help every time they have a staff shortage due to a strike.
Ngobese indicated the union and employers had met since last week’s strike announcement and the meetings were positive.
He added their demands should be understood within the context of escalating cost of living and transport.
According to Springs police spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora, ongoing discussions on provincial level are currently on and instructions will be given to the various police stations by Thursday, on what plan to follow.
“We make up a strike force within the Springs police which will be on duty 24/7. We stay alert at all times in case of violent situations that might occur during marches,” says Capt Ramphora.
