Reuters reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) declared on Tuesday it was in dispute with employers’ asociation the Chamber of Mines of SA (COM) over a move to end centralised collective bargaining on conditions of employment for coal miners.  

The union indicated in a statement that the COM had informed it that it did not have an agreement with its coal members to negotiate for them on pay this year.  The Chamber normally represents coal producers such as Anglo American Coal, Exxaro and Glencore.  Pay negotiations in the sector were due to start in June.  The NUM will now refer the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and would start picketing immediately.  Its members could go on strike depending on the CCMA’s response.

• Read this report in full at Moneyweb
• Read the NUM’s press statement at Cosatu Today
• Read the COM’s press statement in this regard at Polity

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