Services are expected to be normal at filling stations as a wage deal was reached by employers and Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (Ceppwawu).
On 17 August, the union agreed to the seven percent wage increase offer from the employers, bringing an end to the three-week strike in the petroleum industry.
Clement Chitja, who is the head of the collective bargaining department at Ceppwawu, confirmed that they have agreed to settle for less than what they wanted. The workers were demanding a nine percent wage increase and the employers had been offering a seven percent wage increase right from the beginning of wage negotiations, which broke down and led to the strike.
“We are not completely happy with this offer but know that the task team will get us what we want in the near future,” Chitja highlighted. He added that on the positive side, the union was happy that a better agreement was reached with the employer on shift allowances.
Chitja said workers were expected to go back to work on 22 August. The union represents 15 000 workers who are employed by oil refinery companies in the country.
Over the past few weeks, fuel supply has been affected at some filling stations due to the strike.
