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Petrol stations unlikely to run dry

Cape Town – The impact consumers feel at petrol stations is usually not as big when petrol attendants strike as when workers in the transport industry strike, according to Mike Schüssler of Economists.co.za.

“A strike by petrol attendants is usually not like a complete strike. It is, therefore, unlikely that petrol stations will run dry, as when there is a transport strike,” Schüssler told Fin24 on Monday.

“Essentially motorists could fill up their vehicles themselves. This kind of strike usually ends up being more of an inconvenience to consumers than one of huge financial loss. Just ensure that your tank is full.”

He said the recent power cuts in Gauteng had a much bigger financial impact, for instance.

It is in his view also difficult to organise such a strike by petrol attendants, since there are so many petrol stations scattered across the country.

Strike-prone SA's image being cemented

“The problem is that this being yet another strike in South Africa, which will be cementing the country’s image on an international level as one that is strike-prone,” said Schüssler.

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that service station forecourt workers could be the main victims of their own strike.

“I hope their union has explained to them that most service stations in modern countries no longer have petrol pump jockeys. The customers serve themselves just like supermarket shoppers do,” said Mr Michael Bagraim, chairperson of the chambers human resources portfolio committee.

He pointed out that many service stations in South Africa were already equipped with till points in forecourt shops where customers could pay after serving themselves.

“The only reason forecourt attendants are still used is to retain jobs," said Bagraim.

"It is not an efficient system and the price of petrol at the pump could be reduced if self-service was introduced.”

Going on strike for more pay in a job that was obsolete and no longer necessary was a risky business according to Bagraim.

He said that, generally, motorists were prepared to accept the situation and sympathised with the service station attendants, but this could change quickly if the strikers became abusive or violent.

Striking a mark

"This strike will make a mark with the average consumer and business owner, far more than the previous strikes in the motor industry," said Viola Manuel, executive director of the chamber.

"This is no longer about left-hand drive motor vehicles for the international markets. What it does drive home, though, is the fact that business organisations, across the country need to stand up as one and speak out against unreasonable behaviour, should it occur."

About 70 000 members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) went on strike across South Africa on Monday.

Numsa is demanging a minimum of R6 000 per month or R30 per hour to be achieved by 01 July 2016.

It is demanding a R30 per hour increase on actual rates of pay across the board in all sectors and divisions for all workers earning above R6 000 per month.

It is further demanding the removal of area differentials and that wages and salaries across the industry be equal. The threshold of earnings must also be removed.

- Fin24

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