Trade union Solidarity suspended its strike in the petroleum sector of the National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry (NBCCI) today. Solidarity members of PetroSA will go back to work today and members of the trade union at Sasol Secunda will resume their duties tomorrow. However, there are still a number of issues that need to be dealt with at a future negotiation session.

According to Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, all parties involved should now act responsibly and make a concerted effort to reach a final solution during a future session.

"A point is reached in a dispute where a balance must be found between the needs of the employees, the employers, the public and South Africa," said Hermann. "Everyone's interests will be best served by ending the strike and resuming negotiations in all earnest," he added.

It is hoped that a negotiation session will be held before the weekend. Solidarity will give feedback to its members this coming Tuesday.

Statement issued by Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary: Solidarity, July 20 2011

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