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Johannesburg - A South African trade union covering the energy and pharmaceuticals sectors said on Monday fuel and medical supplies would be at risk if a wage agreement was not reached by the end of this week.
The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) said companies offered a wage increase of between 4% and 6%. The union had asked for a 15% rise. The inflation rate stands at 8.4%.
"Anything below the inflation rate is an insult ... that's why we are saying that we are prepared to fight," CEPPWAWU General Secretary Thabane Mdlalose said.
Mdlalose said the dispute was being handled by an independent facilitator after official negotiations failed. A final decision is expected on Friday.
"If we strike, the country will run dry within two to three days ... and there will be no drugs transported to hospitals and pharmacies," he said.
Mdlalose said the union represents some 65 000 workers across the country.
Employers in the sectors include petrochemicals group Sasol, state-owned oil company PetroSA, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Chevron.
- Reuters