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Petrol strike has not stopped operations at SA's largest oil refinery

This story has been updated at 13:30

Cape Town - South Africa's largest refinery, jointly operated by Shell and BP, has not shut down due to a worker's strike over wages, a spokesperson said on Thursday, contradicting an earlier union claim.

"The plant has not stopped production and we have measures in place to ensure continued safe operation during the national CEPPWAWU strike," Cindy Govender said.

A senior union official had said the refinery, situated in the east coast Durban port and capable of refining 190 000 barrels per day of crude oil, had come to a "standstill" on the first day of an indefinite wage strike by the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers union (CEPPWAWU).

SAPREF, situated in the east coast Durban port, refines 190 000 barrels per day of crude oil.

Cheveron's South African unit has prepared for a strike by a major union over wages and will do as much as possible to maintain fuel supplies, the company said on Thursday.

Around 23 000 workers in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors are expected to down tools, Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining, said.

"We want a deal of 9% in one year," Chitja told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that employer associations were offering less and looking for multi-year agreements.

Fill up as strike action due to start - AA

The Automobile Association (AA) on Wednesday advised all motorists to be aware of the planned strike action and to take the necessary steps to ensure they have fuel.
 
“It is our understanding that the strike will affect all refineries and depots of petroleum companies. This strike does not include petrol pump attendants, but will start to impact motorists once the pumps at petrol stations start to run dry,” explained the AA.
 
Accordingly, the association has advised motorists to ensure they top up their fuel tanks as regularly as reasonably possible. In addition, the AA said motorists should avoid taking unnecessary journeys, as well as stop-start driving to reduce fuel use.
 
“Driving with an air-conditioner on, speeding, and driving in peak hour traffic will consume fuel quicker. We, therefore, advise motorists to adjust their driving patterns as far as possible to ensure that the fuel in their tanks lasts that bit longer,” advised the AA.
 
It said it is unclear how long this industrial action will last, but motorists should monitor media, and social media reports, for updates.

The energy workers plan to strike over wages it said on Wednesday. Around 23 000 workers in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors are expected to down tools, Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining, said.

"We want a deal of 9% in one year," Chitja told Reuters, adding that employer associations were offering less and looking for multi-year agreements.

SA is a net importer of refined petroleum products and a prolonged strike could lead to shortages ahead of municipal elections in August.


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