Fin24 reports that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) wants to assist in defusing the strike by trade union Solidarity at Sasol over the company’s empowerment share scheme.  

According to a statement issued by Solidarity on Friday, the CCMA addressed a letter to both the trade union and the energy and chemical company, stating its intentions to intervene.  The CCMA indicated that it would appoint a special commissioner to assist the parties.  “Solidarity has since formally informed the CCMA that the trade union would participate in the process,” the union said.  Solidarity’s chief executive Dirk Hermann added that, although Solidarity welcomed the CCMA’s intervention, the trade union would continue with the strike.  Solidarity, which represents 6,300 workers at Sasol, last week launched the strike over Sasol’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment share scheme – Sasol Khanyisa Phase 2.  Solidarity has based its strike on the fact that the share scheme is not inclusive of all Sasol’s employees regardless of race.  Solidarity has also sent a letter of complaint to the New York Stock Exchange, stating that the scheme violated a section in the US Civil Rights Act.

• Read this report by Lameez Omarjee in full at Fin24
• Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity News
• Read too, Solidarity lodges compliant with NYSE that Sasol Khanyisa violates Civil Rights Act, at Fin24

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