Solidarity declares wage disputes

Solidarity has declared a wage increase dispute in the industrial chemicals and glass sectors in the National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry (NBCCI).

“Wage negotiations in the industrial chemicals sector ended in a deadlock on Tuesday and a dispute was declared... the glass sector dispute was also declared earlier this week,” spokeswoman Ilze Nieuwoudt said on Thursday.

Solidarity embarked on organised labour action together with the SA Chemical Workers Union; the General Industries Workers Union of SA and the Chemical, Energy, Paper Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union.

The unions were demanding an increase of between nine-and-a-half percent and 12 percent as well as a discussion on minimum wages and shift and standby allowances.

Employers were offering an across-the-board increase of between five-and-a-half and six percent.

“What happens now is that we'll have another dispute round where we will try to resolve everything before we take it further,” Niewoudt said.

“We still believe we will be able to resolve the issue long before the point of strike notice being issued,” she said.

The dispute round for the industrial chemicals sector would take place on June 6 and 7. A round for the glass sector would be scheduled soon.

Niewoudt said wage negotiations in the petroleum, pharmaceutical and fast-moving consumer good sectors of the NBCCI were continuing.