Strike settled but on what terms?

Our media have done a pretty poor reporting job on the recent strike by unionised employees of the oil companies. As usual, the unions got the lion's share of the space and air time. As usual, the oil company spokespersons were picked off, one by one. As usual, the oil industry employers' negotiators were left high and dry without communication support. Even pump jockey's were interviewed on the subject, which must be a mark of media desperation. Only Engineering News came up with anything like a report on the terms of the settlement, beyond the astounding fact that the minimum wage will now be R4000 a month, plus the perks and benefits that go with working for an oil company. The parties agreed on an 8,5% wage increase backdated to July 1. A joint working group for employers and workers will be established within 90 days ( to do what?) Maternity leave will be revised ( female pump jockeys are still rare in Spigot's experience). There will be double pay for "continuous workers"on public holidays, and an extra two hours of remuneration for continuous workers. Quite what a "continuous worker" is precisely, we do not know. ( Spigot readers, please send details, if you know them). What we do know is that the aristocrats of labour have triumphed once more.