Coal-to-liquids output not affected by strike - Sasol

23 October 2007 17:49  [Source: ICIS news]

JOHANNESURG (ICIS news)--Talks are ongoing between Sasol and striking workers at its mining unit at Secunda in Mpumalanga province, the company said on Tuesday.

 

Sasol mines coal at five underground operations to feed the 150,000 bbl/day coal-to-liquids refinery at Secunda. The company provides about 35% of South Africa’s liquid fuels.

 

“The strike has not been resolved, but we have strategic stockpiles [of coal] so it doesn’t affect production as yet,” said Sasol spokesman Johann van Rheede.

 

Van Rheede said less than one-third of the workforce or 2,000 workers are out on strike, which is in its 10th day.

 

The content of wage and benefit negotiations with the United People’s Union of South Africa (UPUSA) has not been disclosed.

 

Sasol settled disputes with other unions earlier this year, with workers accepting wage increases of 8.5%.

 

UPUSA said earlier its members were paid poorly by Sasol in comparison with other unions. Union spokespeople were not available for comment. 

By: Mark Allix
+44 20 8652 3214

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