Cape Town -
Last-minute talks may have averted a strike by 60 000 freight industry workers,
that could potentially bring the economy to a standstill, according to Business
Report.
The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), along
with other unions in the transport and logistics industry, called off the strike
after the Road Freight Association came with an offer.
The unions will take the offer to workers on Tuesday. If
workers reject the offer, truck drivers would embark on a protected strike that
could drag on for the rest of the week.
The strike could have disastrous implications, costing the
economy millions and halting the transportation of fuel, coal, food and steel.
Workers are demanding a 12% wage increase but employers have
offered an 8.5% increase.
The Road Freight Association’s labour relations manager, Magretia Brown-Engelbrecht, has advised members to make contingency plans, due to the disruptions that may arise.