Johannesburg - The main fuel sector union said on Thursday
its members have rejected their employers’ revised wage offer meant to end a
nearly two-week long strike that has left pumps at hundreds of service stations
dry.
Employers offered the workers an 8% to 10% increase in
wages, but the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers
Union (Ceppwawu) wants a 13% increment.
“The members have rejected the offer,” said John Appolis,
Ceppwawu's national policy coordinator.
“Our mandate is clear, that we will strike until such time
we have reached an agreement with our employers, which our members must agree
with,” he said when asked if the union would consider suspending the strike
while talks continue.
He said the union will meet employers in the fuel and paper
sector on Friday, while a meeting with employers in the pharmaceutical industry
is set for Monday.