Petrol shortage looms
JOBURG – Fuel shortage at some filling stations as the Ceppawu strike continues.
A fuel shortage panic is looming among motorists as the strike by workers in the petroleum industry continues.
On 28 July, employees affiliated to the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (Ceppawu) downed tools over a wage dispute with their employers.
Clement Chitja, the head of the collective bargaining department at Ceppawu, confirmed that negotiations with the employers had broken down, leaving them with no other option but to proceed with industrial action. The union represents 15 000 workers who are employed by oil refinery companies in the country, meaning that services will be affected from depots.
Chitja said the employees were demanding a nine percent wage increase while the last offer they had received from employers was seven percent.
The Automobile Association (AA) advised all motorists to be aware of the planned 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,” the AA said. “This strike does not include petrol pump attendants, but will start to impact motorists once the pumps at petrol stations start to run dry.”
Accordingly, the AA has advised motorists to ensure they top up their fuel tanks as regularly as possible. In addition, the AA said motorists should avoid taking unnecessary journeys, and avoid 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,” the AA advised.
Chitja said it was not yet clear when the strike would end as the employers were not bringing anything tangible to the table.
On social media, some motorists were reporting that filling stations were running dry. Below are some of the tweets:
shew panic at the Petrol pumps today coz of the #PetrolStrike – 2 stations in my hood are out of fuel #Queensburgh pic.twitter.com/NIpfZGZ7p1
— Its Ms Cleo to you ♔ (@the_cleof) July 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/Mdudemeister/status/758707159886626816
https://twitter.com/leeann_devries/status/758698304238653440
PLS RT: Fill up your Fuel. #Durban garages are empty and those that have fuel are packed!! #PetrolStrike pic.twitter.com/Lmx2XCBYQt
— I Love Durban (@ILuvDBN) July 28, 2016
Only worry about the #petrolstrike is how long it will last.
— Son of Raw (@PeeDozA) July 28, 2016
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