By SAMANTHA ENSLIN-PAYNE Unions and employers are inching closer to agreements in the coal and petroleum sectors, but in other industries agreements appear elusive. Ilze Nieuwoudt, a spokeswoman for Solidarity, said last week: "I think an agreement is really within reach in the petroleum sector." This comes after threats last month of a strike that could have disrupted fuel supply. Unions want a 10 percent increase and employers, through the national bargaining council for the chemicals industry, are offering 9 percent. The sticking point is that employers want a two-year deal. Clement Chitja,...
photo: Michelle Hibbert/WN
