This comes after the failure of the mediation session that was resumed last week by a commissioner of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). An agreement could still not be reached. Employers are now offering a final wage increase of 8%. However, Solidarity is demanding a wage increase of consumer price inflation plus 2%.

Solidarity has already started its revised mandate process. Meanwhile, trade unions are already in possession of a strike certificate, which was issued to trade unions at the end of June. The certificate makes provision for a protected strike in the sector. If trade union members reject the final offer, a 48-hour strike notice can be issued.

According to Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans, various large employers, including Afrox, Sasol, Foskor and Omnia, are involved in the wage negotiations and if a strike in the sector goes ahead, the supply of products such as gas, fertiliser, certain paints and various chemicals could come under pressure. “The latest offer is still not an improvement on the current level of inflation and the stubbornness of employers could eventually have serious repercussions on the sector,” Kleynhans said.

Meanwhile a wage agreement could still not be reached in the petroleum sector of the NBCCI. A further mediation session still has to be scheduled.