The trade union Solidarity accepted the wage offer for an increase of 9% in the industrial chemical sector late yesterday afternoon. The agreement follows after several rounds of negotiations as well as mediation sessions in this sector of the National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry (NBCCI).

According to Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans the agreement is favourable and offers a welcome improvement on employees’ salaries. “The increase is one percentage point higher than the current level of inflation and may ultimately provide the necessary relief for employees,” explains Kleynhans. The increase will be implemented retroactively from 1 July this year.

The agreement was reached with various large companies including Afrox, Sasol, Foskor and Omnia. The companies in this sector are, among other things, responsible for the production of gas, fertilizer, certain types of paint and various chemicals.

The South African Chemical Workers’ Union (SACWU) also reached an agreement yesterday. The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (CEPPWAWU) and the General Industries Workers’ Union of SA (GIWUSA) are also part of this sector but have still not reached an agreement.

Earlier this month Solidarity reached a wage agreement in the petroleum sector of the NBCCI. Solidarity succeeded in reaching agreements successfully and without any industrial action in both of these sectors.