Wage negotiations starts for thousands of employees in chemical industry

By Tina George
12 May 2008

As wage negotiations starts this week in the chemical industry, the trade union Solidarity predicts that negotiations will this year be characterised by a strong stance for double-figure wage increases.

According to Solidarity, trade unions have submitted a joint initial demand for a wage increase of 15% for negotiation. Employers in the industrial chemical and petroleum sectors will start negotiations with an initial offer of 8% while employers in the glass sector will open negotiations on 6,5%.

Trade unions have included various other demands including improved benefits with regard to shift allowances, sick leave, maternity and study leave as well as overtime payment and working hours for this year’s negotiations.

“This year our demand from employers will convey a clear message. Our members will not accept less than double-figure wage increases. The current economic climate has hit every employee in the industry and with worker inflation on 1% to 2% above the consumer price inflation employers cannot be satisfied with less than a 10% wage increase,” says Solidarity spokesperson in the chemical industry,Marius Croucamp.

The outcome of the negotiations is due for implementation on 1 July this year.

Sasol, PetroSA and Omnia are some of the largest companies involved in the negotiations.