Truck drivers in South Africa are threatening strike action this week after salary negotiations with their employers continue to prove unsuccessful.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) gave warning that they would commence with the strike on Monday, but as it was a public holiday, the strike would start on Tuesday.

“There is currently a recommended offer by the employers that we are considering, but we hope to check with our membership… We are going to contact our members on Tuesday morning,” the union’s Vincent Masoga said.

According to Masoga, truck drivers want a 12% increase for 2013 and 2014 however he would not say how much the employers have offered, but broadcaster 702 radio has put the figure at 8%.

A strike such as this could wreak havoc in the retail and fuel supply chains in the country. No bulk deliveries of goods and a fuel shortage at the pumps are not what the country needs at the moment, especially after the lengthy strikes in the mining sector recently. The South African economy could take a large hit from this, so let’s hope that negotiations prove to be successful before any drastic measures are taken.