ANA reports that Solidarity has become the second workers’ union to reject the latest three-year wage offer tabled by gold producers, joining the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which slammed the wage offer as a “pittance” and “insulting” to workers.  

The Minerals Council SA (MCSA – formerly called the Chamber of Mines), said the mining industry was facing major challenges despite the gold sector remaining a significant contributor to the local economy.  Solidarity’s Gideon du Plessis said the MCSA gave a detailed response with regard to their demands, but trade unions collectively rejected the council’s opening offers and were disappointed that most of their demands were rejected.  “The council even rejected demands which do not have any financial implications such as Solidarity’s demand pertaining to worker presentation at company boards, a principle which is in line with the draft mining charter,” Du Plessis pointed out.  Gold producers AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye-Stillwater and Village Main Reef tabled their three-year wage proposals ranging from 5.5% and 6.5% for Category 4 underground employees, and between 3% and 4.5% for miners, artisans and officials.

• Read this report in full at The Citizen
• Read the MCSA’s press release outlining the offers at Gold Wage Negotiations
• Read Solidarity’s press release at Solidarity News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page