THE Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union has vowed to bring the petroleum industry to its knees if their wage demands are not met.
Hundreds of workers yesterday marched to the Petroleum Employers Association offices in Johannesburg to hand over a memorandum.
Ceppwawu deputy secretary Thabani Mdlalose told the striking workers that their action already had effects. "We are getting reports that cars are starting to queue at some petrol stations.
"We have also been reliably informed that some hospitals are already experiencing shortages of medicine. But we are saying, we are not responsible," he said.
Mdlalose urged workers not to give up until the industry came to a complete halt. "Today, we have made history. All four unions - Ceppwawu, Sacu, Giwusa and Solidarity - have joined the strike. This means the industry will shut down."
Cosatu secretary in Gauteng Dumisani Dakile told the workers that their bosses' dogs had medical aid and lived on R50 a day.
Dakile likened the employers to mosquitos.
"They are parasites. They are like mosquitos ... they suck our blood. We know they cannot live without us," said Dakile.
About 70000 workers in the chemical sector embarked on a strike on Monday. Among their demands are wage increases of between 11 and 15percent and R6000 minimum wage a month.
They also demand that labour broker workers and temporary workers be employed permanently.
Piya Mbonani, from KwaThema in the East Rand, said R6000 would go a long way for him.
"Currently, I take home about R2500, and if I could get R6000 I think I will take home about R4000. I will be able to buy decent groceries for my family and put furniture in my house."
The workers gave the employer seven days to respond to their demands.
Accepting the memorandum, Mxolisi Ratsibe of the Petroleum Employers Association said: "We hope that sooner than latter we will be able to welcome you back to our premises as colleagues.
"At the end of the day, it is through engagement that we will find each other."
Strike - the gloves come off
THE Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union has vowed to bring the petroleum industry to its knees if their wage demands are not met.
Hundreds of workers yesterday marched to the Petroleum Employers Association offices in Johannesburg to hand over a memorandum.
Ceppwawu deputy secretary Thabani Mdlalose told the striking workers that their action already had effects. "We are getting reports that cars are starting to queue at some petrol stations.
"We have also been reliably informed that some hospitals are already experiencing shortages of medicine. But we are saying, we are not responsible," he said.
Mdlalose urged workers not to give up until the industry came to a complete halt. "Today, we have made history. All four unions - Ceppwawu, Sacu, Giwusa and Solidarity - have joined the strike. This means the industry will shut down."
Cosatu secretary in Gauteng Dumisani Dakile told the workers that their bosses' dogs had medical aid and lived on R50 a day.
Dakile likened the employers to mosquitos.
"They are parasites. They are like mosquitos ... they suck our blood. We know they cannot live without us," said Dakile.
About 70000 workers in the chemical sector embarked on a strike on Monday. Among their demands are wage increases of between 11 and 15percent and R6000 minimum wage a month.
They also demand that labour broker workers and temporary workers be employed permanently.
Piya Mbonani, from KwaThema in the East Rand, said R6000 would go a long way for him.
"Currently, I take home about R2500, and if I could get R6000 I think I will take home about R4000. I will be able to buy decent groceries for my family and put furniture in my house."
The workers gave the employer seven days to respond to their demands.
Accepting the memorandum, Mxolisi Ratsibe of the Petroleum Employers Association said: "We hope that sooner than latter we will be able to welcome you back to our premises as colleagues.
"At the end of the day, it is through engagement that we will find each other."
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