Charlotte Mathews
10 July 2009
Johannesburg — WAGE negotiations taking place between unions and the Chamber of Mines, though protracted and characterised by some strong union statements, have so far been far less militant than those in the construction, doctors' or road transport sectors.
This may pacify foreign investors in mining shares, who were unnerved this week by African National Congress Youth League calls for the nationalisation of mines.
But the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), leading the well-supported construction sector strike, warned employers to be careful. "We call on other employers in the mining and energy sectors to be careful how they negotiate and what they bring to the table this year so as to avoid unnecessary confrontation," it said.
Two-year wage negotiations in the mining sector have been under way for almost two months. Gold companies negotiating through the Chamber of Mines increased their offer this week to 9% for entry-level employees and 8% for other employees and offered an increase in the living-out allowance.
In the coal sector, most employers have offered 9,5% for lower category employees and 8,5% for miners, artisans and officials in the first year and CPI plus 1%, with a minimum of 6%, in the second year of the agreement. The NUM has demanded a 15% wage hike in both the coal and gold sectors.
It said it was "not impressed" with the offer by coal employers. "The NUM calls on the chamber's collieries to exercise hindsight and avoid confrontation," it said.
Asked about the response to the gold sector offers, NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said: "It is totally unacceptable and we call on companies to stop insulting our members. We expect over double- digit offers this year and we refuse to participate in their recession."
Wage talks in the gold sector resume on Monday and in the coal sector on July 20. Elize Strydom, negotiating on behalf of gold employers in the Chamber (AngloGold, Gold Fields and Rand Uranium) said negotiations had not been particularly militant, but had been difficult. Workers' expectations were unrealistic, she said.
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