South Africa: Truck Drivers Stage Protest in Johannesburg
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Wednesday, 03 October 2012 |
Striking truck drivers have held a protest in central Johannesburg over a pay dispute that has entered its second week. Amid a heavy police presence, the drivers marched to Braamfontein to submit a petition to the transport bargaining council.
The truckers, members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union, are seeking a 12% pay rise for 2013 and 2014. According to spokesman Vincent Masoga, the protest had an attendance of 15,000 people, who were expected to behave peacefully. Protesters carried placards, danced and sang freedom chants after gathering in Johannesburg's Beyers Naude Square. The striking union members represent 40% of fuel tanker truck drivers.
Despite adopting emergency measures, the South African Petroleum Industry Association reported that fuel distribution had been disrupted, and that some fuel service stations had reported running out of some product types. "We are operating under difficult challenges. We are seeing more and more delays of fuel trucks into service stations," said the organisation's Executive Director Avhapfani Tshifularo (pictured). "More service stations will start running short of certain grades of fuel if it continues into next week."
Employers have offered a pay rise reported to be worth 8.5% to drivers. Talks between the union and the employers are expected to resume today. The truck driver strike is taking place amid widespread social unrest in South Africa, including extensive wildcat strikes in the mining industry.
PetrolWorld 03102012
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