Reuters reports that trade union Solidarity has submitted wage increase demands in the gold mining sector of at least 10% annually over the next three years according to a document submitted to the Chamber of Mines (CoM).  

Solidarity only represents about 2% of the workforce in SA’s gold mines, but its members are skilled artisans and supervisors who are crucial to operations.  The document indicates that Solidarity is seeking wage increases of CPI inflation plus 4%, or 10%, “whichever is greater.”  CPI is currently running at 3.8%.  It also indicates that a three-year deal is only achievable if “the offer for the 3rd year is more favourable than year 1 and 2, and a guarantee of job security is built into the offer.”  The biggest union in the gold sector, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), has submitted wage hike demands of up to 37% over a two year period.  The CoM negotiates in the gold sector on behalf of Harmony Gold, Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti, and a smaller producer, with formal talks expected to commence in June.

• A short report by Ed Stoddard is at Moneyweb

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