Johannesburg - Truck drivers are threatening to go on strike this week after several months of failed salary negotiations with employers, the main transport workers' union said on Sunday.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) has given notice of plans to strike from Monday, but because it is a public holiday, the stayaway would not take effect until Tuesday, a spokesperson said.
"There is currently a recommended offer by the employers that we are considering, but we hope to check with our membership.... We are going to contact our members on Tuesday morning," the union's Vincent Masoga said.
Masoga said truckers are seeking a 12% increase for 2013 and 2014. He refused to say how much the employers' association is offering, but local broadcaster Talk 702 put the figure at 8%.
The Reserve Bank has forecast inflation will hold steady at around 5% through 2014.
The Road Freight Association of transport employers was not immediately available for comment.
A strike could disrupt retail and fuel supply chains in the country, which was swept by violent strikes in its crucial mining sector in recent weeks.
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