S.African truckers end week-long strike

South African truckers ended their week-long strike on Monday after accepting an above inflation salary increase of 9 percent, union officials and employers said.

The industrial action, marred by violence and intimidation against non-striking drivers, affected fuel supply at many petrol stations across Africa's largest economy.

We have signed off on the dotted line. The strike is over, workers will return on Tuesday, said Senzo Mahlangu of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU).

SATAWU, the biggest union in the transport sector and three smaller worker groups initially demanded a 20 percent increase over the next two years but settled on 9 percent for 2011 and 8.5 percent for next year.

About 30,000 truck drivers who serve retailers and other businesses in South Africa and neighbouring countries are expected to be back on the road on Tuesday.

The Road Freight Association is of opinion that the offer made was reasonable and is pleased that unions accepted it, the industry group said.

Last year several unions, including those representing about a million state workers, won pay rises of more than double the rate of inflation, leading the Finance Ministry to say the deals posed a threat to the economy.